As reported, an Atlanta, Georgia liquor store owner shot an armed robber who had just murdered an employee.
Police say that an armed robber walked in to the Moreland Package Store, demanded money, and shot a clerk multiple times. Although mortally wounded from robber’s shots, the clerk was reportedly able to yell for help, which prompted the store owner to grab his own gun and rush to the clerk’s aid. The store owner is said to have shot the robber twice, in the arm and the leg. Police have reportedly taken a suspect into custody, and the store owner was unharmed.
This is one of the sadder self defense case that I’ve written about; however it is important to note that this is not a self defense failure. Here, the violent robber did shot and mortally wounded the unarmed clerk – but the fatal shooting of this clerk occurred before the manager got his gun and began acting in self defense. The sad fact is that robbers often harm their victims, whether they comply or not.
The deceased clerk is a hero for having the presence of mind to alert the manager, despite having been shot multiple times. The manager is a hero for using his gun to stop the murderous robber. My deepest sympathies go out to the family of the clerk. I only hope that the knowledge that the robber will likely be jailed and prevented from ever harming another person provides a modicum of solace, although I know that nothing will ever undo their tragic loss.