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'They about to shoot': Video shows locals opening fire at looter and chasing him away with brooms, sticks in blizzard

The Anti-Looting Detail has been implemented in the city and eight looters have so far been arrested in connection to the storm thefts

BUFFALO, NEW YORK: A robbery attempt went horribly wrong earlier this week in Buffalo. The city is currently hit with a severe snowstorm. Amidst this, the ransacker tried to break into one of the Pine Hill storefronts on Bailey Avenue only to be greeted by a horde of people and one civil soldier who chased the thief away. A video shared on Twitter on Monday, December 26, shows people chasing down the Buffalo looter with sticks, brooms, and their guns.

The man recording the video could be heard saying, "They about to shoot somebody. They trying to shoot somebody." Right after this, a man can be seen bracing himself as he gets into the position of taking a shot. Two shots are then fired at an off-camera target. Buffalo PD wrote on their Twitter, "BREAKING: BPD Anti-Looting Detail announce a 9th arrest in connection with winter storm business break-ins. Anyone with information is asked to call or text the Confidential TIPCALL Line at (716) 847-2255." No one was injured during the shooting and Skys the Limit manager told the New York Post that the identity of the shooter is still unknown.

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The manager, who asked to remain anonymous, told the outlet that the shots were probably fried to scare the looter away and not to harm anyone. He said, "That was one of the neighbors that probably had business in the area. As far as I know, he shot in the air to scare them off. Because I guess he was sick of them breaking into one of the businesses across the street or something. He just don’t want them to break anything anymore." 

So far, 35 people have died from the severe weather conditions in the city. The Anti-Looting Detail has been implemented in the city and eight looters have so far been arrested in connection to the storm thefts.

Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia previously addressed the looting incidents at a press conference. He said, "This isn't people stealing food, medicine, and diapers. They are destroying stores, they're stealing TVs, couches, whatever they can get their hands on." The city’s driving ban is still intact and almost 600 National Guard members have been dispatched to conduct wellness checks.