Posted on 05/31/2012 4:48:14 AM PDT by marktwain
HOUSTON (FOX 26) -
A 26-year-old woman went to work but never got to go home.
Tyrza Smith was the victim of a robbery that became a shootout inside the Family Dollar at 6951 Bellfort just west of Telephone Road in southeast Houston.
Smith, an assistant manager, was someone's wife, daughter and sister. Police aren't sure if she was shot by the robbers or a customer who had a license to carry. The shooting has longtime customers grappling with grief.
"Last night, I was about to come here, but something was telling me not to come so I didn't come," said Zujuana Pearce.
It happened just before closing time at 10 p.m. Thursday.
Detectives say two masked men ran inside with guns drawn, demanding cash. One of two customers inside tried to leave but noticed the robbers had locked the door. That customer, who has a concealed handgun license, pulled out his weapon and got into a gunfight with the robbers.
Police are examining the bullet casings and waiting on the medical examiner's report before saying who shot Smith and how many times.
The robbers got away in the customer's rented Toyota Camry. Police looked at surveillance video but say it wasn't helpful because the robbers were wearing masks.
"I felt he (the customer) shouldn't have retaliated, and maybe it wouldn't have been a shootout, you know?" said a customer who asked not to be identified.
"If he had the concealed handgun license he was able to carry. He had the right to shoot," said Pearce.
All that matters for Tyrza's husband is that his wife of eight years is gone. The two were soul mates.
"I just want people to know she gave her life for her job. She was dependable, responsible, loyal, kind and giving. She was loved by so many," said Tyrza's grieving mother-in-law, Roxie Renfro, by phone
Tyrza had worked for Family Dollar for several years but was just recently told to transfer to the Bellfort location. Her mother-in-law says she never felt safe there at night but couldn't have imagined never coming home.
Police are still looking for the robbers and their getaway car. It's a rented 2012 four-door Toyota Camry with Louisiana plate N238302. If you have any information, call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
Family Dollar issued a brief statement:
"Certainly our heart goes out to the family of our Assistant Manager who lost her life in the store. As a value and convenience retailer, our stores are open late as additional convenience to our customers who may need it."
Amazing how the story focuses on the law abiding guy as the possible shooter and not the criminals.
Unfortunately, in this case, it was the CHL holder who fired the fatal shot:
http://www.myfoxhouston.com/story/18661869/chl
}:-)4
That sucks. I’m all for concealed carry, but you have to make sure its the ideal time. I can’t imagine how awful this guy must feel.
I’m all for concealed carry, but you have to make sure its the ideal time. I can’t imagine how awful this guy must feel.
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I agree BUT, if someone is shooting at you and they move behind or near another person it is hard in the heat of a gunfight to hold your fire, although that is the right thing to do. It sounds like our robbers in this incident were just like so many Muslim terrorists, they hide behind someone else or use a human shield.
If you don’t plan to practice and be a good shot then don’t plan to carry. If I shoot at someone within 20 yards they will be shot. Range time.
Seems like in Texas a CHL holder has a duty to retreat if possible. So apparently he was doing what he was taught to do in a situation like that.
I thought Texas has a “stand your ground” law like Florida does.
When the robbers lock the door, they aren’t there just for money. Odds are, the clerk was going to die regardless and so was the CCW holder.
A life threatening situation means, by definition, someone can die. A gun isn’t always going to turn that around, not 100% of the time against armed robbers.
Right, I hope all carriers take their responsibility seriously. I would only carry if I was sure of my abilities. As of right now, I am not that good.
The CRIMINALS locked the door, making it IMPOSSIBLE to think other than, “My life is being threatened.”
The CRIMINALS brandished their weapons as a means of COMMITTING THEIR CRIME, BEFORE the private civilian became “FEARFUL FOR THEIR LIFE”.
The store clerk’s death is saddening, yes, however, I am inclined to believe that the CRIMINALS are the fault for the entire incident.
Bingo. They were then holding all persons in the store against their will.
The perpetrators initiated the crime. If during the course of that crime an injury or fatality occurs, the perpetrators are responsible.
NOT someone trying to defend themselves from harm after that person discovered they were being held against their will.
From the other linked story we have a bit more clarity...
Police say Dwight Richardson, 20, and another man who hasn't been arrested are accused of bursting into the store, locking the front door and holding a gun to the clerk's head.
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In most states if someone die in the commisssion of a felony, it is the criminal who is charged with capital murder.
Don't know about TX, but I'll bet these crooks are both going to be facing the death penalty.
the robbers pointed a gun at someones head and they locked the exit....I am so sorry about the clerk, but I think the robbers should be charged with murder since they instigated the whole sad incident.....
From the story, it says the customer tried to leave, but the criminals locked the doors. He was trapped and forced to defend himself. If there is any video surveillance showing that, I think it will go in his favor that the criminals forced him to defend himself.
“As a value and convenience retailer, our stores are open late as additional convenience to our customers who may need it.”
FDS spokesman: Man, you do NOT try to insert an advertisement into a condolence message. Tacky.
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