Posted on 03/28/2008 6:16:12 PM PDT by DaveLoneRanger
Des Moines police say a pizza deliveryman, who shot a would-be robber, has a valid gun permit. Sergeant Vince Valdez says the incident unfolded last night on the city's south side. The pizza deliveryman, identified as 38-year-old James Spiers, was confronted by a man with a gun as he entered an apartment building.
Valdez says Spiers has legal authority to carry a concealed weapon and used his gun to defend himself. The suspect in the case, 19-year-old Kenneth Jimmerson, is accused of placing a gun to Spiers' head and robbing him of cash.
"But, Mr. Spiers reacted quickly, grabbed the gun hand of the suspect and was able to pull his own gun out at the same time and fire some shots," Valdez said. Jimmerson was hit twice by the gunfire. At that point, Spiers called police.
Jimmerson, who's charged with first-degree robbery, is listed in serious condition at a Des Moines hospital. Spiers does not face charges in the case, but has been suspended from his job at Pizza Hut. The restaurant prohibits it's employees from carrying weapons.
Valdez says a gun isn't a tool of the trade for a pizza delivery person, but in this case, it may have saved Spiers' life. Jimmerson's girlfriend, 18-year-old Melanie Stout, is charged with conspiracy to commit robbery. Valdez says Stout placed the order for the pizza.
You have mail and my apology.
Those that force disarmament of others should bear the legal consequences when the others are injured because of the disarmers actions.
Those that force disarmament of others should bear the legal consequences when the others are injured because of the disarmers actions.
Here's what I wrote:
You stupid f&%#@ng morons!!!What piece of Sh#%t wrote your asinine life threatening policy!! What were you A$$holes thinking!! I guess you all drink you're own urine in the morning to replace the brain fluid in your leaking heads!
I could go on....but I gotta go and heat up some Pizza Bites in the microwave.
Here's what I wrote:
You stupid f&%#@ng morons!!!What piece of Sh#%t wrote your asinine life threatening policy!! What were you A$$holes thinking!! I guess you all drink you're own urine in the morning to replace the brain fluid in your leaking heads!
I could go on....but I gotta go and heat up some Pizza Bites in the microwave.
In today’s society, this criminal already has a lawyer willing to sue Pizza Hut (and it’s deep pockets) for the injury suffered.
No, it’s not just, but you know it’s true. And it will go to court if they don’t settle first.
Every time a pizza delivery man defends himself in this way, it makes would-be pizza delivery robbers more circumspect about robbing pizza delivery men. The company should reward the guy.
Polk County is a difficult place to get a carry permit. Iowa is a “may issue” state. The pizza guy would have had to apply and be investigated by the sheriff and would have to have more than “carry money” as a reason to carry. Permits are issued for one year and must be renewed to keep the right to carry. Usually, your life has to be threatened to get a carry permit in Iowa...
"Sounds more like Admiral Yamamoto after Pearl Harbor".
You are correct!! Did you not see the question mark?
The point is, unfortunatly, we as a Country, do not have what it takes to fight our present enemy...no resolve>
I've been in this forum for about two years now and you are the first to comment on my tag line...
In that case, I hope the outcry from angry (former) consumers will be strong enough offset the idiotic "Thou shalt be a victim" policy dictated by insurance writers. I know it's not likely to happen so long as the courts continue to turn gutless thugs into multi-millionaires the minute they cry injury, but having their delivery people gunned down on the street is not exactly good for business either.
Tried to send this:
“Your Mr. Spiers, in Des Moines, Iowa, was let go after using a firearm to defend his life in an attempted robbery. I live in Vallejo, CA, where a pizza deliveryman was killed not long ago by a bunch of young thugs in a similar scenario. I also drive a cab, another high-risk occupation. Your Mr. Spiers should be COMMENDED, not fired, for having the initiative to be able to defend himself and NOT wind up dead in an alley somewhere.
I have eaten many a Pizza Hut pizza in my time, but the last one was the LAST one until such time as you get Mr. Spiers back on the payroll, with back pay for the time he was gone. It is unconscionable that someone in such a high risk job be prohibited by your company policy from being able to protect his own life.
As a retired U.S. Marine, I spent my adult life PROTECTING that young man’s God-given RIGHT to defend himself and I do not appreciate that a company like Pizza Hut wants to take away what God, Himself, has given. From now on, Round Table, the last HONEST pizza gets my business until I hear he’s been rehired.”
but their system would not let me complete the process without selecting a restaurant and there was no way made for me to do so...
I would have commented sooner, but today was the first time I'd ever seen it. It's actually a pretty famous quote. I'm surprised no one else has called you on it.
The reason no one called him on it is because it’s a line from a movie.
I heard a short blurb on the radio about this this afternoon. They referred to the perp as the “victim”. Made my blood boil.
BTW, as another poster mentioned, Iowa is a “may issue” state. It is damned near impossible to get a carry permit.
You’re right...it is famous...just has a touch of sarc to it {:^)
That may be true for Polk County, but the threshold varies widely by county, as the decision is up to the sole discretion of county sheriffs. And once you have the permit, it's good statewide. The driver may have received his permit from a more relaxed county.
The local Pizza Hut used to have signs at the doors prohibiting guns in the restaurant. Then a state gun owners association sent a letter to Pizza Hut's state headquarters office threatening a statewide Pizza Hut boycott, and the signs came down a couple of weeks later. That gave me a warm fuzzy feeling all over since I'm the one who notified the association of the local Pizza Hut's "no guns" signs and suggested a boycott.
My wife doesn't like any kind of pizza except PH's deep pan pizza with cheese and pepperoni, otherwise I wouldn't patronize any Pizza Hut because of it's overall antigun attitude. However, I think most of the other pizza chains are just as antigun as Pizza Hut since they don't allow their delivery drivers to be armed either.
driver was foolish not to drop one in the thug's head and walk away.
Insurance companies do not dictate mgt. policy. Get another insurance Co.
"Hot pizza or hot lead...It's your call!"
I assure you if the guy he shot was Hispanic or Arabic the pizza guy would be in jail tonight.
Good for him , I hope that thief punk is hurting good in the hospital tonight.
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