Posted on 02/18/2003 9:04:50 AM PST by DCBryan1
LR man, grandson prevent robbery
Two gunmen killed in company holdup
BY JIM BROOKS
ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE
Two men were shot and killed Monday morning after they tried to rob Downen Oil Co. in central Little Rock, police said.
Phillip Williams, 23, and Troy James Williams, 28, entered the business around 11 a.m. and shortly afterward announced a holdup, police said.
Troy Williams was fatally shot while he and the owner of the business, Charles Leon Downen, 64, struggled for the gun Williams had put to Downen’s head, police reported.
Phillip Williams was shot and killed after he ran from the business [while shooting over his shoulder] and got into a shootout with Downen’s grandson, Charles Randall Downen, 25, according to a police report.
Prosecutors will determine whether the Downens were justified in using force. A police detective said charges likely will not be filed.
Detectives still were trying to determine whether the Williamses were related.
In the past 12 months, four men have been shot and killed while attempting to rob businesses or individuals in Little Rock. All of the shootings have been or are expect to be ruled as justifiable.
On Monday morning, the Downens were in the business office at 4912 Asher Ave. when the two Williamses entered and asked to use the restroom, according to a police report.
When they left the restroom, Troy Williams put a gun to the elder Downen’s head and said, "This is a robbery," the report said.
The older Downen and Troy Williams struggled for the handgun, which went off, wounding the 28-year-old. Meanwhile, Phillip Williams ran from the business. Charles Randall Downen, armed with a.45-caliber semiautomatic handgun, chased him.
Phillip Williams "had a sawed-off, bolt-action rifle down the leg of his pants," said Sgt. Alan Quattlebaum, who commands the Police Department’s homicide squad. "Shots were exchanged outside the building, and when police arrived, Mr. [the younger] Downen had [Phillip] Williams at gunpoint on the ground."
Neither of the Downens were injured.
Police spokesman Cassandra Davis said the Williamses were taken to University Hospital in Little Rock, where both were pronounced dead.
Several spent-shell casings and the rifle were found in the business parking lot. The window of the business had a large bullet hole in it.
"Detectives are working to determine whether that shot came from inside or outside," Davis said.
Police also were interested in a gold 2002 Nissan Altima that was parked near the business entrance. The vehicle was believed to have been the one the Williamses drove to the business.
This story was published Tuesday, February 18, 2003
Both of these guys are friends of mine at the local shooting club (Central Arkansas Shooting Association), and place top 50 every month out of 100 of us in (IDPA or (Int'l Defensive Shooting Assn) events.
These guys are proof positive that gun control is hitting what you aim at!
I found out through a cop friend of mine that these two were known criminals who were trying to re-establish their credibility in a local gang and had were both either on parole or some sort of probation.
Good riddance criminals!
Great shooting guys!
Everyone who carries a defensive-firearm should join and use a shooting club regularly!
SELF DEFENSE BANG!
These should be good:
(Central Arkansas Shooting Association),
(IDPA or (Int'l Defensive Shooting Assn)
Maybe I over-embellished...they are aquaintences, but are truely, "firearm-friends" that I see once a month at the range. I will tell them good job, and I hope that Randall gets his Kimber Pro CDP II back from the LRPD.
Go home and reload next weeks "practice and competition " ammo....repeat as needed :o)
With a CHL and the RKBA comes a responsibility to use it properly. Glad these guys did such.........
Stay Safe !
I'm not sorry - two down, lots more to go. This is the ideal application of capital punishment - cheap, instant, and these two guys are permanently deterred. (Soon to be interred!)
Agree as to most stable position......Stay Safe !
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