Posted on 01/24/2009 6:12:53 AM PST by marktwain
After a suspected robber shot his co-worker on Wednesday, a Belmont Beverage liquor store clerk didn’t wait to see if he’d be next.
The clerk fatally shot the suspected robber – whom Fort Wayne Police have identified as Donald N. Jones – in self-defense, according to Gary Gardner, Belmont operations manager. Gardner said Thursday that store surveillance video shows Jones enter the store, walk around the counter and shoot a clerk in the leg before robbing two cash registers.
“That’s what was so stunning to us,” said Gardner. “(Usually) all they want is the money and they leave, but not in this instance.”
The armed clerk was behind the counter when the man entered and was on the east side. After taking the money, Gardner said the masked man moved toward the front door, which is on the west side of the store.
As Jones was leaving, “that’s when the bullets started flying,” Gardner said.
Gardner said the clerk opened fire with the pistol he has a permit to carry because he believed he was about to be shot, given the robber’s actions and demeanor.
“The way he spoke, the way he carried himself, he was just very sure of what he (the robber) was going to do,” Gardner said. “The guy is not shaking. He’s not wavering. He knows what he wants. He’s already done harm to one employee.”
Jones, 29, was familiar with the store. In 2000, it was one of the nine businesses the city man pleaded guilty to robbing. Jones pistol-whipped a clerk in one robbery, vowing to shoot on the count of three, “if you don’t give me the money,” according to his arrest affidavit. Jones had a warrant issued for his arrest on Jan. 14 for a probation violation, according to court records.
Gardner said the wounded clerk was shot in the right leg. Gardner said he was in a lot of pain, but in good spirits after being hospitalized. He is expected to be released from Parkview Hospital today.
On Thursday, an employee boarded up a window that had been shot through at the store about 20 yards from where Jones collapsed on East Tillman Road and died. “Some day, yesterday,” a customer told a clerk at the store.
Despite fearing for his life, Gardner said the clerk feels bad about the killing.
“Right or wrong, whatever he chose to do with his life, certainly, he’s got a mother and a sister and a brother just like you and I do,” Gardner said. “It’s just unfortunate that people have to do this kind of thing.”
A decision from the prosecutor’s office about whether the use of deadly force was justified is pending.
It’s ridiculous that someone has to defend an obvious lawful act of self-defense. It’s ridiculous that we have to live in fear of criminals. It’s ridiculous that we’re supposed to feel sorry for the criminals.
Sniff, I love a happy ending.
Just dial 911, or maybe your security company will. It only takes your local LEOs about 5-10 minutes to arrive (on average), sometimes 30, never mind that the actual event can be over in 10-15 seconds...
“Despite fearing for his life, Gardner said the clerk feels bad about the killing.”
That was a smart thing to say. Invariably, if the innocent shooter does not “feel bad” about the shooting, the prosecutor goes after him.
“.....robber shot his co-worker...”.Gee, I guess the robber must have worked there.[sarc]
This guy was exceptionally bright though. He could count to 3.
” It only takes your local LEOs about 5-10 minutes to arrive (on average)”
Slain student called 911, but no one came in time
College student’s battle for her life caught on 911 tape
Police did not respond to her call for help for 48 minutes
http://ccwsaveslives.blogspot.com/search?q=48
I think I'll become a journalists. It obviously takes no writing talent or command of the English language. It ought to be easy.
Long ago William Strunk and E. B. White wrote an excellent little 78 page book called "The Elements Of Style". It explains how to construct and punctuate a coherent sentence in the English language. Journalists should read it.
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