Woman Shoots Gunman Dead After He Begins Firing Rifle at Graduation Party, Detective Says She Saved ‘Several Lives’

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A woman fatally shot a gunman who fired a rifle at dozens of graduation party attendees last week, according to police. The incident occurred in Charleston, West Virginia.

According to investigators, a man named Dennis Butler was warned about speeding near the Vista View Apartment complex with children present.

Butler returned with an AR-15-style rifle and began firing into the crowd, WCHS-TV reported.

A bystander attending the party acted quickly by pulling out her handgun and shooting Butler. 37-year-old Butler received multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead.

Butler had an extensive criminal history.

Officers arriving at the scene around 10:45 p.m. and there were no reports of injuries to those attending the party.

Several witnesses, including the woman who fired the gun, waited for police to arrive and fully cooperated with the investigation.

Chief detective Tony Hazelett confirmed that no charges will be filed against the woman who took out the gunman.

“Instead of running from the threat, she engaged with the threat and saved several lives last night,” Hazelett said.

He added that she was “lawfully carrying” her gun and “we could have had a casualty shooting” if it weren’t for her actions.