A frightening situation at a Florida car wash quickly turned into a dramatic takedown when a teenage employee rushed an ax-wielding man and wrestled him to the ground.
The tense encounter happened on March 8 and was captured on surveillance video later released by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities say 36-year-old Bryce Thayer was holding an ax and acting aggressively toward employees outside the business. In the footage, Thayer can be seen approaching two workers while gripping the weapon.
At first, the employees back away from him as he moves closer.
But suddenly, one of the workers — an 18-year-old employee — charges toward Thayer and tackles him to the ground in an attempt to stop the threat.
As the two struggle on the pavement, the second employee runs in to help and tries to pry the ax out of Thayer’s hands.
Video shows the teen repeatedly punching the suspect as he works to force him to release the weapon.
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW:
Moments later, body camera footage from responding deputies shows officers rushing onto the scene, where they find Thayer already restrained by the employees.
Deputies quickly place him under arrest.
According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Thayer had previously been told to leave the property. Instead, investigators say he became angry and approached the workers while holding the ax in a threatening manner.
Thayer, 36, has since been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon as well as possession of drug paraphernalia, according to jail records.
It’s not yet clear whether he has entered a plea or hired an attorney.
Meanwhile, many viewers online have praised the quick-thinking worker who stepped in before the situation could escalate further.