Man armed with AR-15 credits his rifle's 'intimidation factor' in helping him stop knife attack

An Illinois man armed with an AR-15 credited his rifle's "intimidation factor" in helping him stop a knife attack Monday, WGN-TV reported.

Police told the station someone with a knife attacked another person during an argument at an apartment building in Oswego Township.

That's when neighbor Dave Thomas grabbed his AR-15 and ordered the suspect to stop, WGN reported.

Image source: WGN-TV video screenshot

What happened next?

"I poked my head out the door. There was a pool of blood — blood was everywhere in the hall. There was still a confrontation going on ... there were actually about three or four people involved at this point," Thomas recalled to the station. "So I ran back into my house and grabbed my AR-15. I grabbed the AR-15 over my handgun ... bigger gun, I think a little bit more of an intimidation factor. Definitely played a part in him actually stopping."

While the suspect briefly got away, he was soon captured by police, WGN reported.

The stabbing victim was taken to the hospital, the station said, but there was no immediate word on the victim's condition.

Image source: WGN-TV video screenshot

What else do we know about Thomas?

Police told WGN that Thomas has a valid firearm owner's identification card and a concealed carry permit.

"The AR-15 is my weapon of choice for home protection," Thomas told the station. "It's light, it's maneuverable. If you train and know how to use it properly, it's not dangerous. And this is just a perfect example of good guy with an AR-15 stopped a bad guy with a knife. And there were no lives taken, so all in all it was a good day."