His comments offered a glimpse into how his military experience shaped his response under pressure.
However, the incident also highlights how quickly an armed confrontation can become dangerous. Even someone with extensive training cannot predict every outcome in a situation involving a firearm.
Although the brothers escaped without being shot, the incident left visible damage behind.
The bullet hole in Borda’s pickup truck was estimated to cost approximately $2,000 to repair. According to the account, his insurance would not cover the expense.
Still, the financial loss was far less important than what could have happened.
Borda was especially relieved that his children and his beloved dog, Sky, were not in the vehicle that day.
Sky usually rides in the truck’s back seat, but neither the children nor the dog was present during the confrontation.
That detail made the outcome feel even more fortunate.
Borda later reflected on the incident and the consequences of threatening another person.
“They knew what they were doing, so they have to pay for the consequences,” he said.
The encounter has drawn attention because it involved an armed robbery attempt, a veteran’s split-second response, and a gunshot that could have ended very differently.
The available account describes the confrontation and the suspects being taken into custody. However, it does not establish the eventual legal outcome, so no conclusions should be drawn about charges, convictions, or sentencing.
For Borda and his family, the most important outcome was that everyone walked away.
His truck could be repaired. The damage could be addressed.
What mattered most was that he, his brother, his children, and Sky were safe.
The incident serves as a reminder that threats involving firearms can escalate in an instant. Personal safety should always come first, and confronting an armed person can carry serious risks, regardless of someone’s training or experience.
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Ellis did the general assignment grind at a small daily for a decade, which means he can cover a hailstorm, a weird animal sighting, and a relationship trend in the same afternoon and make all three worth reading. He likes stories with a person in them, not just facts.
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