Video shows the moment a heroic security guard attacks a gunman wearing a devil mask, potentially preventing a mass shooting at a Florida strip club

A security guard will celebrated as a hero who may have foiled a mass shooting after attacking a gunman wearing a devil mask who was about to enter a famous strip club in Tampa, Florida.

The incident happened at around 1:15 a.m. Sunday morning at the Mons Venus adult entertainment club, when police said 44-year-old Michael Rudman, armed with a gun, tried to enter the nightclub.

Surveillance video recorded the entire altercation.

Manuel Anthony “Manny” Resto explained told reporters what he did during a media briefing with the Tampa Police Department.

Resto said he saw the man wearing a mask approach the club’s door and he initially believed it was some kind of joke.

“I noticed the devil mask and I was like, ‘ok, it’s not Halloween,'” Resto said.

Seeing the gun, he jumped into action and tried to grab it while bystanders ran away. The video shows Rudman hitting Resto with the gun and a flashlight he was holding in his other hand.

At one point, Resto was able to grab Rudman’s gun and point it at him.

“I had no intention of shooting; I just wanted to scare him and bring him down,” Resto explained.

This ploy didn’t work and Rudman continued wrestling with Resto, who was hit multiple times in the head and said he nearly passed out.

“I didn’t want to let him win,” Resto said. “He didn’t want to hurt anyone.”

At this point, other security guards rushed in to help Resto subdue the very large man.

Police said a shot was fired in the club’s front door. They also said that Rudman had the words “kill” and “dark one” written on his arms.

Investigators said they found two full magazines in the suspect’s pockets. In his truck, which was parked in front of the club, police said they found more ammunition, knives and additional firearm accessories.

“There is no question that the heroic actions of the security forces who disarmed this suspect saved dozens of lives and I am grateful that our officers were able to take this individual into custody before he had a chance to carry out what.” she had planned. ” called Tampa interim police chief Lee Bercaw.

“We will continue to actively and thoroughly investigate this case to better understand what led to this foiled incident,” he added.

Resto had previously appeared as a professional wrestler under the nickname “The Puerto Rican Punisher”.

Rudman faces a number of charges including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, battery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Bercaw said the suspect was incoherent in his arrest and his motivation is still under investigation.

Here is the security video of the incident:

Tampa Police say potential mass shootings outside of a known strip club were likely stopped by quick actionwww.youtube.com

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