Retired sheriff’s deputy turns tables, opens fire on would-be robbers at Fresno ATM
A robbery victim turned the tables on a pair of bandits early Friday when the former sheriff’s deputy pulled a gun on them and opened fire at an ATM machine in northeast Fresno.
A woman who was driving a getaway car was wounded and the male bandit, who was armed with a stun gun, ran from the scene at El Paso and Blackstone avenues.
Fresno police Chief Jerry Dyer said the incident took place about 5:15 a.m. at an Educational Employees Credit Union machine, where the victim, a retired Fresno County sheriff’s deputy, was approached by a man identified as Jeremy Lynd, 30, who said, “Boy, it’s cold out here.”
Lynd then tried to subdue the victim by shocking him with the stun gun, once in the neck and once in the lower back while demanding money, Dyer said.
But the victim, who has a concealed weapons permit, got back to his car and retrieved his pistol. That’s when a woman identified as Bobbie-Sue Alexandra Nicole Sevier, 31, rammed the victim’s car with a Hyundai and reportedly also tried to strike the victim, who was standing outside the car.
The victim fired four rounds at the Hyundai, penetrating the vehicle and striking Sevier in the leg. Sevier then crashed into a planter of Starbucks coffee shop next to the ATM.
Lynd ran south through River Park shopping center. Sevier was taken to Community Regional Medical Center, where she was treated for the gunshot wound and booked into Fresno County Jail on charges of attempted robbery, assault, carjacking and other crimes.
Police launched a search for Lynd, who is described as about 6 feet tall and thin with a light-colored beanie and a gray jacket and multiple tattoos on his neck. Police recovered the stun gun.
Dyer said the bandits’ car was taken in a carjacking in Sacramento on Jan. 1. Lynd also is a suspect in an armed robbery in Turlock this week.
Anyone who sees Lynd is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-STOP.
Dyer said the victim was well trained and in defending himself “responded in a way I think any law enforcement officer would.”
Fresno County Sheriff’s spokesman Tony Botti confirmed the victim was a retired deputy but would not identify him by name.
The deputy would likely possess a concealed weapons permit because of his past occupation, but it is worth noting the Sheriff’s Office has issued about 10,000 concealed-carry permits, which Botti said are the most in the state. About 80% of the holders are men and 20% women.
Botti said the department normally received about 100 applications a month, but has received about a much larger amount of requests since the San Bernardino mass shooting in early December. Reasons for the applications include personal protection, carrying a large amount of cash for a business, having a high-profile occupation such as a judge or politician or living in a remote area far from law enforcement.
Obtaining a permit costs about $400, not including the firearm.
Sheriff Margaret Mims said the first question someone considering an application for a permit is, “Am I willing to get sued,” because anyone who shoots someone should anticipate a lawsuit from the person’s family.
This story was originally published January 8, 2016 at 2:21 PM with the headline "Retired sheriff’s deputy turns tables, opens fire on would-be robbers at Fresno ATM."