Posted on 12/03/2005 11:45:29 AM PST by DogByte6RER
Man takes law into his own hands: Father shoots at robbers at Kent shop while gun is pointed at son's head
2005-12-01
by Bruce Rommel Journal Reporter
KENT -- For a few seconds, Frank Buell thought he was going to be shot in the head.
One of the three robbers who burst into Kent Jewelry & Loan ordered Buell to his knees and then jammed a handgun against the back of Buell's head, hard enough to leave a knot.
But the single gunshot that startled Frank Buell was from a pistol fired by his father, Nick Buell, who was taking aim at another robber.
All three robbers then fled.
Kent police think one of the robbers was hit by the single shot because they found no evidence of the round striking doors, windows or walls. Police are contacting area hospitals to see if the robber might have sought treatment for a gunshot wound.
Until the robbers ran from the business at 624 W. Meeker St., father and son were on opposite sides of a display counter on Tuesday evening, each unaware that the other was being threatened by an armed assailant.
On Wednesday morning, Frank Buell, 40, was carrying a Beretta semiautomatic pistol in a hip holster when he and other family members opened the business.
``I didn't want to be wearing a gun -- but now I guess you have to do something because of this,'' he said of Tuesday's attempted robbery just before the 6 p.m. closing time.
Nick and Beverly Buell have owned and operated Kent Jewelry & Loan in downtown for 18 years. Sons Frank and James also work there.
This is the first robbery at the store. Nick Buell said they've been trying to avoid ``the old pawn shop image'' and don't carry personal weapons when they're at the counters, although weapons are out of sight in strategic locations, just in case.
But Frank Buell, didn't have time to grab a weapon when the three men burst through the doors of the business and began yelling orders.
One forced him to his knees in front of a counter and held a handgun to his head.
``He put the gun to the back of my head and told me not to move,'' he said.
About the same time, another robber, holding a handgun in his left hand, started walking behind the same counter. Nick Buell, 64, sidestepped behind a display and grabbed his Glock 9 mm pistol.
``I held the gun with both hands and I dropped into a military crouch, which is what you do when you want to make yourself less of a target,'' the elder Buell recalled Wednesday.
He aimed at the robber walking toward him and fired one round and all three intruders immediately bolted toward the door.
``I don't think they expected any resistance and when I pulled out my gun and fired, they all ran,'' Nick Buell said.
``Then after they're gone I find out my son was on the floor on the other side of the counter with a gun at his head.''
The Buells said they are taking additional steps to increase security, including wearing sidearms.
``Fortunately, all of us here are pretty proficient shots,'' Nick Buell said.
Bruce Rommel can be reached at 253-872-6722 or bruce.rommel@kingcountyjournal.com
POLICE SEEK HELP IN FINDING ROBBERS
Kent police are asking the public's help in locating three armed men who attempted to rob Kent Jewelry & Loan just before 6 p.m. Tuesday.
All three wore masks. Two were black. The race of the third wasn't known. One wore a white, puffy padded- type jacket and a bright yellow ski mask.
One of the others wore an orange puffy jacket and dropped an expensive baseball-type hat with a silver ``76'' logo of the Philadelphia 76ers basketball team. The white hat, with a pattern of smaller, gray National Basketball Association symbols, is a New Era 59Fifty brand hat.
The suspects fled in a light gray or tan two-door car with a Chevrolet insignia, possibly a newer model Chevrolet Cavalier.
Anyone with information is asked to call 253-856-5915 to speak with Detective Kathy Hotl, or leave a recorded message.
People also can leave anonymous tips and qualify for a cash reward by providing a tip to Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound at 1-800-CRIME-13.
I know the Buell's very well, and have stood where Nick fired from. (I even know where the shell landed). With Nicks vantage point, there is NO WAY he could have seen his son, or the others. Nick was facing a guy who had the means, (the gun), the desire, (yelling "phrases" at him), and the ability to do him harm, ("he was only "X" amount of feet away from him, and getting closer). Talking to Nick, I belive he was surprised to see the others as soon as he fired. He does admit to a bit of a flinch as he fired.
They responded well and did society a favor.
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