Jay Allen Robbed At Gunpoint At US Grocery Store

US musician Jay Allen has taken to social media to share his recent experience of being robbed at a grocery store in the state of Tennessee recently.

The singer, and former 2022 The Voice contestant, opened up about his recent experiences in a post on Instagram, telling his followers about the incident that occurred in East Nashville recently.

“I’m ok (besides being out a few bucks), but it was the feeling that I couldn’t get over,” he told his followers. “Even with having a muscular stature and being covered in tattoos, it didn’t matter… he had a gun, and I didn’t.”

As he continued, Allen explained that the incident inspired him to now become a gun owner despite his years of uncertainty about the topic.

“I felt helpless, taken advantage of, and mad at myself more than anything,” he added. “I’ve always been on the fence about guns, but today I’m a proud new gun owner. It’s strictly for self-defense, and I will NEVER feel that way again.”

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A post shared by Jay Allen (@jayallenmusic)

Alongside his story about the incident, Allen also shared an image of his new gun, and some footage of himself at a shooting range as he undertook proper firearm safety training.

Jay Allen released his debut album, Des Moines, earlier this year as the latest step in his near-decade long career. In 2022, he competed as part of The Voice in the US, earning char turns from both Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani, and ultimately joining the latter's team.

Allen continued on the show until November 1st, 2022, when he was eliminated in a knockout following a performance of Matt Stell’s Prayed For You.

Alongside his work as a musician, Allen has also embarked upon philanthropic efforts, having raised more than $160 million in support of those fighting Alzheimer’s, following his mother's own passing from the disease in 2019.