FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A Fresno business owner is crediting his staff and security for handling a scary situation. A shooting took place outside of a Fresno nightclub early Sunday morning. An armed security guard is to thank for stepping in, returning fire and easing the situation.  Fr esno police said 26-year-old Ian McDonough escalated a confrontation by firing a gun. The owner of the Switch Club and Lounge said the group of men who got involved in a confrontation outside of his business were not patrons. He credits his staff and security for diffusing the situation. “I take great pride in our staff and how we responded that day,” Switch Club and Lounge owner Alex Vartabedian said. Vartabedian said his staff and security are to thank for handling what could have been a deadly situation. “I was present that evening, we had a good time going inside. There was a disturbance outside our parking lot. These guests were never here, and it occurred right outside this front gate here,” Vartabedian said. Fresno Police say a confrontation escalated after 26-year-old Ian McDonough pulled out a gun and began shooting. “It had just occurred at the location and the suspect fired at security guards, patrons and then left on foot,” Sergeant Public Information Officer for Fresno PD Diana Truebavega said. “About two minutes later, we had one of our armed security officers engaged with the suspect,” Vartabedian said. McDonough shot a 26-year-old man in the torso four times. The victim is in stable condition.  A security guard shot McDonough in the leg who then ran across Blackstone Avenue. “Officers quickly started searching the area, located a suspect hiding in a dumpster nearby,” Truebavega said. Fresno Police said the security guard was in his right to open fire. “Our detectives believe that the security guard acted rightly and justly, and his actions, the use of force used against the suspect, was justified and that lethal force was needed,” Truebavega said. A local criminal defense attorney says not every security guard in California is armed. “A security guard has to pass an eight hour firearms course, he has to pass a psychological test, a firearms test on the range and a written examination,” Criminal Defense Attorney Mark King said.  McDonough was booked into the Fresno County Jail for suspicion of attempted homicide, assault with a deadly weapon, carrying a concealed firearm and carrying a loaded firearm. Vardabedian said security and proactive thinking are needed in Fresno. “I'm very proud of my staff and how they conducted themselves that evening. Unfortunately, the City of Fresno has a large gun problem, a large violence problem. We're aware that this could happen at any nightclub,” Vartabedian said. Vartabedian tells says the doors will be back open on Thursday. Fresno Police said they do not believe the shooting was gang related. ...read more read less