Fatal heist was 'like a bad dream'

The Commercial Appeal ^ | 3-30-04 | Chris Conley

[oyez]

Ahmed Ismail said Sunday he was still trying to shake off a bad dream that began when a man walked into his tobacco store and put a gun in his face.

Within seconds of being confronted about 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Ismail fired his own pistol from behind the counter of Cigarettes for Cheap at 1260 Getwell, killing the would-be robber.

Police identified the man as Alpochino Antonio Jackson, 20, who was rushed to the Regional Medical Center at Memphis. He was pronounced dead just before 10 p.m. Saturday.

The gunman, a bandanna across his face, flung open the door, gun in hand, and started screaming at Ismail for the store receipts.

"It was all like a bad dream. I can't believe it," Ismail said. "I knew he was coming to kill me . . . I had to do something," Ismail said.

After Ismail shot him, the man left his pistol and shoes behind, and collapsed in the parking lot, Ahmed said.

"I'm not proud of what happened," Ahmed said. "But I had no other choice. . . I knew he was going to shoot me."

Ismail said that though he did not know Jackson, he knows his relatives from the neighborhood.

"I'm a father, and I feel bad about his family," the 51-year-old native of Yemen said.

He said he has been in business for about three years and had never been robbed before.

Ismail said he believes another man, in his late teens, had come into the store earlier as a lookout for the gunman.

The man asked him about the prices of various cigars and pipe tobacco, then left.

Police said Sunday they were looking for a second man to question, but did not know yet if Jackson had an accomplice.

Jackson's gun and Ismail's gun were recovered by police, homicide Lt. Joe Scott said Sunday.

The investigation into what happened continues, Scott said, but nothing has emerged to cast doubt on Ismail's account.

Police reports list at least one other witness in the store.

The results of the investigation will be turned over to the District Attorney General's Office, which will decide whether criminal charges are filed against Ismail.

[oyez]

Hats off to one of mid Eastern friend who stood up for himself against the criminal element.

Now, I hope Ismail has a back up. Now all the the thugs know he has has piece conficated by the police. What good does it do for police to disarm a citizen in danger and a low life media that has to shout to the world the man's condition.

This says a lot about the state of afairs in American cities. The Police and the media want the criminals to have an advantage.

[johniegrad]

Clearly a national smoking ban would have prevented this needless death.

[San Jacinto]

Poor robber. He obviously came from a bad background....being named after dog food and all.

[johniegrad]

Glad you clarified. I thought it was this guy:

[oyez]

Ain't it the truth?

[holymoly]

The gunman, a bandanna across his face

Why would he wear a bandanna?


But serioulsy...
Good Guys - 1
Bad Guys - 0

[holymoly]

serioulsy=seriously

[End Times Sentinel]

"I'm not proud of what happened," Ahmed said. "But I had no other choice. . . I knew he was going to shoot me."

 

I don't feel proud when I take out the trash either, it's just part of being a homeowner.  When an upstanding citizen "takes out the trash", it's all part of living in a polite, organized society.

Owl_Eagle

”Unleash the Hogs of Peace.”
P.J. O'Rourke Parliament of Whores

"I'm not proud of what happened," Ahmed said. "But I had no other choice. . . I knew he was going to shoot me."

I don't feel proud when I take out the trash either, it's just part of being a homeowner.  When an upstanding citizen "takes out the trash", it's all part of living in a polite, organized society.

[oyez]

They don't sell Alpo Chino brand in my city so I serve Kal-Can.

[Khurkris]

"Alpochino Antonio Jackson, 20"

This s.o.b. was cursed at birth. Doesn't anyone check on these hideous names?

These funny names for kids has gotten ridiculous. People naming their kids after cities and now Chinese dog food. Just too much.

[oyez]

I don't know what's worse these "original" names or Ismail facing the prospect of going to jail for defending his life and property.

[WV Mountain Mama]

"Say hello to my little friend!" Isn't that what he said in Scarface? Fortunately, the owner said it first.

[ErnBatavia]

Name Game bump.

[Heyworth]

There was a guy here in L.A. who ran a little watch shop on the West Side. I think he shot four robbers in three different attempted hold-ups over the course of a few years, all of them clean shoots. He finally closed the store, figuring that he was developing a reputation and some punk was just going to walk in the door and start shooting.

[T Wayne]

In the strange name catagory.

A teacher friend had a set of twins named Orangejello and Lemonjello.

Sometimes fact is stranger than fiction!!!!

[Khurkris]

thats too much. Thanks.

[battlegearboat]

...name is Puddin Tame...

Ask me again, I'll tell you the same"

...or sumpin' like that.