One Shot in Shenandoah

Ryan L.'s Self-Defense Story

Discover how USCCA Membership provided critical support to Ryan, helping him navigate legal challenges and reclaim his life.

Location: Virgina
Charges: Assault, Brandishing, and Negligent Discharge
Not Guilty: Charges Dropped
74000: Legal fees covered

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Ryan L. fired one shot. He missed. The attackers ran. But that single round would follow him for nearly two years, through an arrest, three criminal charges, a conviction, and ultimately a jury trial.

Just after midnight on November 3, 2019, Ryan was working as a rideshare driver in Virginia.

While dropping off two passengers, he noticed several young men attacking another driver's car near the entrance to an apartment complex.

Ryan tried to avoid them. "Avoidance is easier than resistance," he said.

But as he pulled into the lot, two men ran toward his Honda Pilot. One jumped onto the hood. Within moments, six to eight men surrounded his SUV, kicking and pounding on it.

Ryan tried to de-escalate, telling them he'd leave if they'd clear a path. But a crowd behind his vehicle blocked his escape.

Then his frightened passengers jumped out, leaving the doors open.

Ryan grabbed pepper spray, tucked his holstered Glock 26 into his waistband, and stepped out to close them.

That's when the attack turned violent.

Ryan was punched repeatedly, kicked in the chest and legs and struck hard enough to fracture his jaw.

He deployed pepper spray … but they kept coming. Then someone struck Ryan from behind, knocking him to the asphalt. His head bounced off the ground. Seeing stars, Ryan knew he couldn't take another hit… Ryan drew his firearm – and most of the crowd scattered. Two men continued advancing despite his commands.

Ryan fired once. He missed … but the attack stopped.

He drove a short distance away and called 911. Thinking back to his firearms training, he gave officers a brief account and said he wanted to speak with his USCCA Attorney Network attorney before answering additional questions. Luckily, he had made the crucial decision to become a USCCA Member just three months earlier. Ryan called the Critical Response Team, and about an hour later, police arrested him for brandishing, reckless handling of a firearm, and assault. As he sat handcuffed in a patrol car, his Apple Watch buzzed…

Attorney Brian Geno was trying to reach him.

Ryan couldn't answer, but Geno was already calling the police department, sheriff's office, and jail trying to locate his client.

"He's beating that phone tree down, trying to figure out where his client is."

That night was over … but Ryan's legal fight was just beginning.

Witness accounts differed dramatically from Ryan's version of events. Local news reports portrayed the confrontation as a dispute over a parking space.

In April 2020, Ryan went to trial. The judge dismissed the assault and brandishing charges, but Ryan was convicted of negligent discharge. He received unsupervised probation and a fine. The judge also ordered the destruction of the Glock 26 Ryan had used that night, but Ryan appealed.

Then COVID-19 delayed the courts.

Months turned into more than a year. Nearly two years after firing that single shot, Ryan finally stood before a jury.

They deliberated for 45 minutes and came back with a verdict: Not guilty. The conviction was gone.

Ryan says his USCCA Member benefits meant he didn't pay "a red cent" toward his legal fees.

Today, he still teaches firearms students about situational awareness, conflict avoidance, and the responsibility that comes with drawing a firearm. He also keeps a reminder of that night – the spent casing from the one round he fired sits in a display box beside a plaque bearing his attorney's name: Brian Geno.

Surviving an attack is only half the battle.

The legal fight that follows can be just as devastating to your freedom, family, and finances.

Attorney retainer:

$25k–$100k+

Expert witnesses:

$5k–$15k

(each)

Trial & bail costs:

$100k–$500k+

JOIN 860,400+ MEMBERS

When you take advantage of the education, training, and self-defense liability insurance¹ you get with your USCCA^® Membership, you'll be ready for the before, during, AND after of a deadly encounter.

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