Posted on 07/15/2005 7:38:28 AM PDT by 3AngelaD
Man dies 4 days after botched Windsor robbery
By David Persons Windsor Beacon A 32-year-old Fort Collins man, who was shot in the head Friday afternoon while attempting to rob a downtown Windsor liquor store with a garden hose nozzle, died Tuesday. Windsor police confirmed that Donald Wies died at Hospice and Palliative Care of Northern Colorado. Wies, who was hospitalized at North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley after being shot, was transferred to the hospice center on Monday.
Windsor Police Chief John Michaels said Tuesday that Wies died about noon. An autopsy will be performed today, Michaels said, and when completed, all of Michaels investigation reports will be turned over to the Weld County District Attorneys Office.
Michaels said he doesnt expect any charges to be filed against the liquor store owner, Ron Trauernicht, who reportedly was acting in self-defense.
The chief said the investigation is now centering on a motive for the robbery. Michaels said his officers executed search warrants at Wies apartment in Fort Collins, 2343 Kodiak Road, and on his car. Michaels said he couldnt disclose what was found in the apartment or car.
The incident began late Friday when Wies entered Corner Liquors, 117 6th St., wearing a cloth mask and holding a garden hose nozzle wrapped in cloth. Wies said he had a gun and demanded money from Trauernicht. After Wies reportedly panned his weapon between Trauernicht and his wife, Norma Trauernicht, and then tried to force Norma Trauernicht to the floor, Ron Trauernicht grabbed a pistol from underneath the counter.
Michaels said Trauernicht faced Wies and fired one shot. The bullet from Trauernicht gun struck the inside of the garden hose nozzle, exited the top of the nozzle and struck Wies in the head, Michaels said.
Now, if the place were called Wicked Witch of the West Liquors, I could see the need for the hose.
That's one less scumbag we need to worry about.
The right of the people to keep and bear hoses shall not be infringed.
Update: Nozzle man dies.
when asked about the miracle shot,Trauernicht said "I tried to do that" ;-)
IIRC, (without bothering to check) that point was covered in Mas Ayoob's excellent book and LFI class, "Stressfire"
Indeed, they should give him a commendation.
We should pay a reward to any store owner that Kills a robber! 1000$!!!! that will save taxpayers alot of Jail money ! and increase Gun sales...both good Things!!!!
and reduce the # of criminals!...benifit # 3!
What are the odds?
Some things are just meant to be.
He is hosed now!
Life sucks when your stupid.
That's what I thought. What are the odds of a bullet fired a few feet away (probably) entering a hole about 1/2"?
When I was a dumb teen we used to set up Coke bottles horizontally on a post with the mouth facing us and try to shoot out the bottoms with a .22 without hitting the sides. Never made it.
Well, the poor guy was probably scared out of his wits. In that state of mind he's lucky that he hit the guy at all, much less got a wild chance ricochet that plotted the junkie in his store.
Kudos to the guy, however it happened.
And possibly a little something else... the something else that probably sealed his fate.
After Wies reportedly panned his weapon between Trauernicht and his wife, Norma Trauernicht, and then tried to force Norma Trauernicht to the floor, Ron Trauernicht grabbed a pistol from underneath the counter.
Maybe he figgerd the store owner only had a water pistol.
But...But....wan't it an assault garden hose nozzle?
In the "old days", the robbers head would put put on spike outside the store entrance. pour encourager les autres (To encourage the others)
Gives a new meaning to the expression, "you're hosed!"
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