Police said a potential mass shooting was thwarted Sunday night after security guards tackled a gun-toting man outside a Tampa strip club.
Security footage of the incident shows the man, identified later as Michael Rudman, in a red and black mask approach the entrance of the Mons Venus club while holding a flashlight. As he opens the door, a security guard, Manny Resto, sees the gun and grabs Rudman to stop him from going inside.
During the scuffle, a single shot was fired and struck the front door of the club.
Resto and Rudman can be seen fighting over the gun, which Rudman drops. Resto then runs around Rudman, picks up the gun and points it at the masked man. Rudman then lunges toward Resto as more security guards enter the frame.
Rudman falls while trying to grab the gun and Resto strikes him on the back of the head or neck. Resto and two other security guards then appear to finally subdue Rudman.
More than 200 people were inside the club at the time, police said.
After police arrived at the scene, they found two additional fully loaded magazines in Rudman’s pocket. Additional ammunition, knives and gun holsters were found in his truck.
Rudman had “dark one” and “kill” written on his arms, officials said.
Police added that Rudman, 44, has a history of domestic violence and mental health issues. He was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, battery, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and purchasing, possessing or receiving a firearm while under a risk protection order.
“There is no question that the security guards who disarmed this suspect saved dozens of lives through their heroic acts, and I am thankful that our officers were able to take this individual into custody before he had the chance to carry out whatever he had planned,” interim chief Lee Bercaw said. “We will continue to actively and thoroughly investigate this case to get a better understanding of what led up to this thwarted incident.”