Soldiers, bystander stop shooter in ‘unprovoked attack’ outside El Paso gun shop

A man from New Braunfels, Texas, who had just purchased ammunition, allegedly began shooting at another man Saturday outside an El Paso gun shop, police said.

A nearby business owner disarmed Bao Duc Vu, 30, who was then restrained by pair of Fort Bliss soldiers until police arrived, a police news release stated.

No one was injured in the gunfire at the Hawkins Plaza retail strip at 1550 Hawkins Blvd. near Montana Avenue.

Vu was arrested on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and is being held on a $500,000 bond at the El Paso County Jail in Downtown.

The shooting, described by police as an “unprovoked attack,” occurred about 3:50 p.m. Saturday in a retail strip housing the El Paso Gun Exchange.

Vu is accused of shooting at Jacob Portillo, 22, of Pecos, Texas, after both men made separate purchases at the gun store, police said.

Vu bought ammunition, walked to his car and then allegedly began shooting at Portillo, who was sitting in his own car, police said.

Police said that Vu was confronted in the parking lot by the owner of a neighboring business.

The business owner disarmed Vu when he was distracted by an approaching Fort Bliss soldier shouting at him, a police news release stated. The soldier and another soldier then restrained Vu until police arrived.

Shortly after the shooting, police officials had said that two people were in custody but only Vu was arrested and charged.

The names of the soldiers and the business owner who helped stop the shooting have not been released by the Police Department.

*story by EL Paso Times