[WATCH] Night Club Bouncer Disarms Gunman Just In Time

This bouncer did not hesitate or flinch. Could you have done what he did?

Bouncer Eric Wasson disarmed an armed man attempting to enter Johnny Baby’s bar on University Avenue in St. Paul last year on September 21. Wasson was honored for his courageous act by the St. Paul police.

On the night of September 21, a man holding a gun came to the door of the bar where Wasson was working as a security guard. Wasson said he tried to defuse the situation by smiling at the gunman and saying, “Hey, what’s going on?” Wasson also told the man to calm down.

According to Wasson, that’s when the man told him to move and raised his gun. At the time, more than 150 people were inside the bar. Wasson rushed the gunman, whose gun was discharged twice as they struggled. No one was hit.



St. Paul Police Chief Thomas Smith presented Wasson the Chief’s Award for Valor, the highest award Smith can give a citizen, on Wednesday.

“Mr. Wasson, you were indeed a hero that evening,” Smith said about the Sept. 21 incident. Authorities said the gunman was convicted in federal court. “We don’t know what the suspect may have done if he was allowed inside the bar. … You displayed a great amount of courage when you chose to disarm the suspect and protect the customers in the bar.” Smith said at the award ceremony.

Wasson’s children were also in attendance at the award ceremony. His children are ages 4 and 9. Smith told them at the ceremony: “Be very proud of your daddy.”