Air Force vet shot while saving woman from attempted murderers, in critical condition

New details are emerging about the Good Samaritans who stepped in when a mother was being attacked by two suspects, outside a Wal-Mart in Shawnee, Kansas on Sunday.

Police say a woman was putting her infant into the car seat when two people attacked her – striking her in the back of the head. It appears the men were trying to get away with her purse and car.

The first Good Samaritan who came to the victim’s aid was shot and critically injured. He was unarmed, officials say.  A second Good Samaritan reportedly stepped in after that and shot at one of the suspects, killing him. 28-year-old suspect John Simmons III died at the scene.

Authorities caught up with the second suspect, 27-year-old Arthur Wyatt III, earlier this week. He appeared in court on Wednesday to face charges of attempted first degree murder.

This is not the first time Wyatt’s been in trouble with the law. He has an extensive rap sheet dating back to 2003, when he was still a juvenile. Wyatt has been convicted before for involuntary manslaughter and aggravated arson, but was released from prison in July 2015, according to the Kansas City Star.

The Star reports that the first Good Samaritan who was critically injured is Joshua Owen, a 33-year-old USAF vet, husband and father.  He was shot three times in the face, wrist and chest and will have to undergo numerous surgeries.  Family members say Owen joined the Air Force after 9/11 and during more than four years’ deployment served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Owen’s sister-in-law wrote the following message on the GoFundMe page that’s been set up for him:  “We will continue to pray for a speedy recovery for Josh, as well as the victims and any other members of the community who were affected by this unfortunate and unforgettable event.”

The criminal complaint against Wyatt alleges that he shot at Owen with the “premeditation of killing him.”

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