80-year-old store owner seen shooting armed robber in viral video has died

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. — The man seen in a viral video shooting at an armed robber at a liquor store in July has died.

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Craig Cope, 80, who suffered a heart attack after the robbery but returned to work, died Tuesday morning, KABC reported.

In a video clip that went viral, Cope was visible behind the counter of his Norco liquor store firing a single shot from his shotgun and scaring the would-be robbers out of the store.

“They came in telling him, ‘Freeze,’ and something about ‘This is a robbery,’” Marnie, a store employee, told KNBC at the time. “To himself, I’m sure he thought, ‘No, it ain’t,’ because he just opened fire.”

Three months after the robbery, Cope suffered a stroke that robbed him of the ability to talk and move, KTTV reported.

Cope’s death was announced by the store’s Facebook page, which said, “We lost our Craig this morning. I’m sorry I am without words right now but I promised not to leave you in the dark.” The post promised a memorial would be held at the store at a future date.

Four suspects were arrested in the robbery and were found with a stolen vehicle and several firearms, according to KABC.

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