Another robbery was foiled by a quick-thinking armed civilian. This time, the incident took place in Riverside, California, at a massage parlor.

The individual became an unexpected hero after he used his firearm to thwart would-be robbers who wished to target the establishment, E-Joy Foot and Body Massage, on a Wednesday evening.

The incident happened shortly before 10 p.m. at E-Joy Foot And Body Massage, according to Riverside Police Department.

The customer opened fire after two men broke in and tried to rob the establishment, police said. Authorities initially identified the shooter as an employee.

The two robbers, at least one of whom was armed and dropped his gun, fled the scene. The suspect who was hurt ended up in the parking lot of a nearby Northgate Market, where he was taken into custody by police officers and transported to a hospital. The other suspect managed to get away.

A description of the suspect who remained at large was not available.

Officer Ryan Railsback, a spokesperson for the Riverside Police Department, asserted that you "have a right to defend yourself" from harm:

Just like when you're inside your own home or a business, if harm's way comes to you, you do have a right to defend yourself if you or others are at risk of serious bodily harm or even death.

Railsback continued, emphasizing that whenever someone is a witness to a crime, it's important to use one’s best judgment in situations such as these:

We tell people: Don't do it if you don't think you can do it. It's best to just be a witness, to cooperate and give them what they need so you don't get hurt. It's a judgement [sic] call. It's all based on your own level of confidence on how you can handle the situation.

The situation could have become far worse if one of the would-be robbers decided to escalate the situation. Riverside County has one of the highest crime rates in the country.

With a crime rate of 40 per one thousand residents, Riverside has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 25. Within California, more than 93% of the communities have a lower crime rate than Riverside.

The officer’s comments underscore the importance of not only owning and carrying a firearm, but also understanding when it is best to use it or keep it holstered. Gun ownership doesn’t stop at purchasing the weapon – one must also understand the responsibility that comes with it. Being trained on the gun’s use, situational awareness, and other important things can equip gun owners with the tools they need to protect their lives as well as others.

In this case, the armed civilian had the know-how necessary to stop thieves from stealing property at gunpoint. In an area like Riverside County, it is clear that the need to keep and bear arms is essential. Fortunately for this individual, California’s restrictive gun laws did not prevent him from owning a firearm.