AUSTIN, Texas — An Austin man is now focused on recovery after a routine trip to pick up dinner at a South Austin strip mall took a dangerous turn last week .

On Thursday evening, Fernando Martinez told KVUE he was at ThunderCloud Subs on West Slaughter Lane near Menchaca Road getting food for his family after work. While inside with several other people, he said he noticed a man who entered the shop behaving erratically and aggressively.

Martinez said he reacted on instinct when he saw the man reach for a weapon tucked into his waistband.

“Instincts, I think, kicked in. And I knew that it's kind of now or never,” Martinez said. “Because this is the only opportunity. And so I capitalized on that opportunity to.. for the safety of everyone.”

Martinez then placed the man in a headlock

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