Bessemer bank customer praised for helping halt gunman (Concealed carry privilege!)

TimesDaily (AL) ^ | May 16, 2007 | NA

[neverdem]

The Associated Press

Law officers have praised a bank customer who pulled his gun and helped deputies capture a gunman who opened fire during a robbery of a Wachovia branch, killing two tellers and wounding two.

Chris Chappell, who was in the bank Monday morning getting $40 in change on the way to his job in Adger, fled the bank when gunshots rang out, drew a gun for which he has a concealed weapon permit, took cover by his sport utility vehicle and alerted deputies who came up.

The gunman, cornered by Chappell and the deputies when he tried to flee the bank with a hostage, stumbled and was shot by Deputy Alan Rhea.

"It's certainly commendable," Jefferson County Sheriff's Sgt. Randy Christian said. "It's obvious he played a key role in keeping the guy there until we could get there. It's a great testament of someone willing to take action."

"He kept him from escaping, and he gave deputies time to get to the scene," Bill Veitch, chief assistant district attorney, told The Birmingham News in its moment-by-moment account of the robbery and arrest.

Bessemer Mayor Ed May, while calling Chappell a "good Samaritan and a brave individual," added that "I would not encourage anyone to do that."

Chappell, however, said he just went by his instincts.

"I know what's right and what's wrong. There wasn't nothing I could do differently. I'm always going to do what I think is right," Chappell said.

William Merriweather Jr., 30, a 1994 Jackson-Olin High School graduate who also attended Alabama State University and Lawson State Community College, was taken into custody after being shot outside the bank. He was charged with capital murder in the deaths of the two tellers.

According to witnesses and police investigators, the gunman fatally shot Eva Lovelady Hudson, then continued firing down the line of tellers, killing Sheila Prevo. He shot two other tellers, who survived, while demanding money, and forced bank manager Myron Gooding to open the vault.

Grabbing a bag of money, he left the bank, only to find Chappell waiting.

"I was prepared to shoot," Chappell said.

According to the News account, the gunman threw his hands up and went back inside when he saw Chappell. He eventually came out holding Gooding as a hostage. By then, deputies had arrived and Merriweather was shot and captured.

"I don't think you had time to be scared," said Chappell.

Information from: The Birmingham News

Copyright © 2007 TimesDaily

[neverdem]

I'm surprised the Associated Press deigned to report it.

[Jet Jaguar]

BTTT

[Sir Hailstone]

Too bad two tellers died in this, but the robber got what he deserved!

[randog]

I know what's right and what's wrong.

Sadly, a rare attribute these days. Some would even call it a character defect.

[Paradox]

Too bad two tellers died in this, but the robber got what he deserved!

I'd say he didn't, he was not drawn up and quartered.

[Sir Hailstone]

At least Alabama still has the Big Yellow Momma ... right?

[bobby.223]

did chappell get the weapon from his vehicle or did he present it from a concealed carry position after leaving the bank. was he in possession of his weapon while in the bank on business?

[geezerwheezer]

The state of Alabama is not shy going for the death penalty. I’m sure they will in thias case. One of the dead tellers was pregnant, which will seal his death warrant. The bastard!

[Paleo Conservative]

Bessemer bank robber identified as Birmingham man

Posted by Birningham News staff May 14, 2007 5:53 PM

Authorities this evening announced a Birmingham man, William Merriweather Jr., 30, has been charged with capital murder in the slaying this morning of two women banker workers in Bessemer.

The two women who were shot to death inside a Wachovia branch bank during the holdup have been identified as Sheila McWaine and Eva Hudson.

Two other people were wounded, when a gunman entered the bank shortly after it opened and unleashed a barrage of gunfire. The robber, now identified as Merriweather, briefly took the bank manager hostage. The robber was shot by lawmen when he tripped on the curb outside the bank. He was treated for a wound to the groin.

Bank employees Anita Gordon and Latoya Freeman are being treated at UAB Hospital for gunshot wounds. Gordon is in serious condition and Freeman is in stable condition, according to hospital officials.

Robert K. Gordon and Carol Robinson

[Vn_survivor_67-68]

“Witnesses said it appeared that Merriweather (pictured) was out to kill someone as he waited in line shortly after the bank opened Monday until he pushed a woman aside and opened fire on the four tellers at the Wachovia Bank branch in Bessemer, Alabama.” snipped from:
http://crime.about.com/b/a/257424.htm

[traviskicks]

ping

[bobby.223]

I’d like to see this scum tied to a pole and cooked ‘till well done with a blow torch. slowly.

[taxesareforever]

Attended a university and a college. Guess we can figure out what he majored in. Crime.

[jra]

Dunno if they still have it, but they quit using it.

[Vn_survivor_67-68]

I googled his name and looked at about 20 sites before I found one with his ID I mean jpg /s

[traviskicks]

Bessemer Mayor Ed May, while calling Chappell a “good Samaritan and a brave individual,” added that “I would not encourage anyone to do that.”

---

why not? you could cut the police force by 90% if there were more like this guy, and the crime rate by just as much...

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Bessemer Mayor Ed May, while calling Chappell a "good Samaritan and a brave individual," added that "I would not encourage anyone to do that."

They always say the same thing. According to the News account, the gunman threw his hands up and went back inside when he saw Chappell.

Criminals are cowards. They have no problem killing innocent people, but as soon as their own lives are in danger they turn tail and run.

[blam]

"One of the dead tellers was pregnant, which will seal his death warrant. The bastard!"

A follow up report: She wasn't pregnant.

[Paleo Conservative]

googled his name and looked at about 20 sites before I found one with his ID I mean jpg /s

Try searching "Google News" not the "Google Web" option. The pictures are displayed next to the articles.

[MortMan]

Actually, the mayor’s sentiments were spot-on, IMO. If you consider the issue from the liability side, if the mayor encourages such action, he could be considered to be giving the imprimatur of government sanction, which then invites government liability.

However, I would bet that the mayor was considerably more effusive privately, given his praise of Chappell (I think that’s the right name from the story).

At any rate, kudos to this brave, patriotic, and intelligent hero!