A courageous security guard with a rifle saved lives when he took down a gunman outside Anchorage’s Gaslight Lounge. The armed guard – a trained marksman – intervened after 23-year-old Leroy Manogiamanu began spraying bullets at patrons and staff. Surveillance footage showed the shooter, masked and armed, fleeing while firing recklessly until the guard confronted him.
This hero defied danger to protect strangers – proving good guys with guns are America’s greatest defense against evil. Without his quick action, the death toll would have been worse. Two security guards were already caught in the crossfire, with one shot seven times and another hit in the hand.
Authorities now pledge to boost protection downtown, doubling patrols from four to eight officers during closing hours. Police will also shut down Fourth Avenue late nights to corral crowds safely leaving bars. These steps prove law enforcement takes pública safety seriously – but critics say the Gaslight Lounge remains a problem spot.
The bar has faced 337 police calls in just 20 months – vastly more than other nightlife venues. While owners insist they strive for security, nearby businesses blame the establishment for attracting trouble. Some demand its closure, arguing it creates a repeat crime hotspot.
Police Chief Sean Case warns that violence follows certain bars, calling the Gaslight a magnet for instability. “They’ll drift to that bar until it gets closed down,” he said, pointing to decades of similar patterns. Yet the owner claims the problem stems from “a small group of criminals” – not systemic failure.
Beachside staff fear incidents will chase customers away. “It’s bad for downtown, bad for business,” workers sighed. Late-night shootings don’t just risk lives – they threaten livelihoods.
The case highlights a deeper debate: Should problem areas face stricter enforcement or suffer closure? Conservatives argue for bolstered patrols and support for businesses trying to do right. Shutting down honest enterprises punishes law-abiders while ignoring root causes of crime.
Heroes like that rifle-carrying guard remind us of America’s strength – brave individuals who stand when danger calls. We must honor their courage and reject policies that remove weapons from those who defend the innocent. Let’s celebrate vigilance and never silence the voices demanding safer streets.
