Posted on 01/07/2009 6:48:37 PM PST by VeniVidiVici
OCOEE, Fla. -- An eyewitness saw a robber brutally beating a store clerk in Ocoee, so he pulled a gun out of his car at the Kangaroo gas station on Franklin Street (see map) and fatally shot the robber.
That witness talked to Eyewitness News about his decision to pull the trigger and said he'd shoot that robber again if he had to (watch full interview).
He's a regular at the store and said he was coming to buy some cigarettes when he heard the clerk screaming. He told Eyewitness News he not only grabbed his cell phone to call 911, but also pulled a loaded 40-caliber handgun out of his car.
"I opened up, popped that out," Chris told Eyewitness News on Tuesday, about 12 hours after the incident.
Eyewitness News agreed to only use his first name, because he's afraid of retaliation, but he showed exactly what he did when he heard the clerk at the Ocoee store being attacked Monday around 11:00pm.
"I pull up like this and said, 'Stop,' and, as he came up, I came straight up, fired, 'Pop, pop,' two shots," Chris said.
Those shots hit and killed 40-year-old Freddie Carson. Public records show he has a rap sheet going back to 1987, including charges like battery and burglary.
"I'm upset. I mean, trust me. I'm not happy about taking a man's life," Chris said.
...continued at link
(Excerpt) Read more at wftv.com ...
Who is the Dummy doing the complaining at the end? Is he crazy. Hope he is getting heck beat out of him and someone comes to save his life and he yells NO, NO don’t shot the guy trying to kill me.
The gun grabbers hate these stories where a responsible citizen protects another citizen from crime. I wonder if he is a CCW.
Not a CCW holder, as stated in the video.
“That’s kind of scary that anybody can just walk up and blam, blam, and you’re done,” Jeff Harrison said.”
Well don’t try to beat someone to death in Florida and you don’t have to be afraid.
As Chubby said, he's not. However, in FL you don't have to have a CCW to carry in your vehicle.
The key here is the customer went into the store, saw the clerk getting beaten, then ran back out to get the gun out of his car. Cops can't even get him for carrying w/out a permit. This is not to imply they are trying.
In defense of Ocoee PD, so far they haven't commented on the story.
I have heard many people say that police and civilians should shoot someone in the leg or shoulder to disable them, but not kill them. These people don’t understand how difficult it is to aim and shoot a handgun under the best conditions.
Dont need one to carry a gun in your car as long as its secured. Not locked, secured.
A well armed society is a polite society.
(Writer is attorney and former network TV reporter, but do not construe this as legal advice. Seek the counsel of an attorney familiar with the laws in your jurisdiction.)
#1. Know your state's Castle Doctrine and other use-of-deadly-force laws cold. If you use reciprocity to carry in other states, know their laws.
#2. Carry a cell phone. CCW license/permit does not make you a cop. If time allows, dial 911, observe, record video or write down license plate numbers or other descriptions if you can. Let the cops handle it if you can.
#3. In reality, the only guaranteed legal and ethical way to use deadly force is to protect your life of the life of another. If someone is running form your house with a TV set, call the cops and your insurance company, don't kill the perp. We don't have a death penalty for theft or burglary. Someone still in your house moving toward you or refusing to drop a weapon is another story. AMF.
#4. Never shoot someone then change the evidence to make it look justified. The old “Shoot em outside, them drag them inside” plan is a quick ticket to jail.
#5. If you have to use deadly force, and you are no longer threatened, put your weapon away. You don't want some cop arriving on the scene Code 3 to see you with a weapon in your hand. Secure the perp's gun. You want to ensure it is still there when the cops get there! Yell to every arriving LEO, “I'm the good guy. The perp is down. I'm the good guy. We need an ambulance.”
#^ Memorize the following. “Thank goodness you are here, Officer/Deputy. He/she said they were going to kill me/her/him/them, I believed him and I saw him take physical action to begin to do so. Other than that, I'm sorry but I'm so upset I can't say any more. Please talk to my lawyer, Mr./Ms Shysterwitz.
SAY NOTHING TO REPORTERS, BYSTANDERS, OR ANYONE ELSE.
IF QUESTIONED BY LEOS, REPEAT THE ABOVE, 100 TIMES IF NECESSARY. SAY NOTHING ELSE OTHER THEN TO IDENTIFY YOURSELF, SHOW THEM YOUR DL AND/OR CCW UNTIL YOUT LAWYER TELLS YOU WANT TO DO.
A year or so ago, there was a news vid where cops fired hundreds of rounds at a guy in a vehicle, who survived with a few minor wounds.
I let my CCW lapse - doh! I may sign up again. I forget if secured, like in a case, also means unloaded.
I though in a car,under the seat and not quickly accessible.
Florida law changed recently. It used to be if someone was retreating & your life was not threatened, you had to back down but that supposedly changed.
What is neat is the law has always been if you see someone being harmed, you can come to their defense and shoot. Just like this example. The hero should have no problems.
I think it is if someone was being harmed or a felonty attack was occuring. I need to check it.
If perp deserves to be shot, he deserves to be dead. Never shoot if you are not prepared to tell yourself that the perp deserves to die, because if you are a good person with a conscience, you may have to do so for the rest of your life.
“I forget if secured, like in a case, also means unloaded.”
No, in a zippered case is enough. Closed glove box is also ok. Does not need to be unloaded.
“Florida law changed recently. “
It did, you aren’t required to retreat if your life is in danger.
“I think it is if someone was being harmed or a felonty attack was occuring. I need to check it.”
Always a good idea to keep up to date. I try.
They also don't understand things called the brachial and femoral arteries. Bullets can do funny things in a human body and there is no map on the outside.
PS, My wife’s motto is:
Veni
Vidi
Visa
I came, I saw, I shopped.
bookmark
Oh yeah, under the seat is NOT adequate. There has to be more than one action required. Opening something for example to access the firearm. Reaching under the seat does not quality according to my training. Also a poor place cause it may slide around and not be where you expect. IMHO.
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