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Retired Marine Is Top Gun At Sub Shop (Subway Owner Hails Best Customer's Actions Alert)
Miami Herald ^ | 06/29/2007 | Erika Beras And Jennifer Lebovich

Posted on 06/30/2007 3:34:20 AM PDT by goldstategop

The night started like many for John Lovell, a 71-year-old ex-Marine and helicopter pilot who served two presidents. Late dinner alone at a Plantation Subway shop -- veggie sub, soda, oatmeal cookie.

Wednesday night, though, Lovell's meal was interrupted by an armed robbery. Two gunmen stormed into the sandwich shop at about 11 p.m., robbed the cashier and tried to shove Lovell -- the lone customer -- into the bathroom. Two bullets later, one gunman was dead, another was wounded and Lovell was being hailed as a hero.

''There's no such thing as an ex-Marine, and he typifies this,'' said longtime friend Wesley White.

''What he did last night was unbelievable Samaritan spirit,'' said shop owner Khalid Malik.

Lovell already was a great customer at the Jacaranda Square Subway, Malik said: He comes by almost every night, slides into a back booth and orders the six-inch veggie sub, cookie and soft drink. But now, said Malik, ``I love him a lot more.''

No one could find Lovell on Thursday. But when he shows up again, Malik said, the hero will have free heroes at the shop for life.

The Subway video surveillance cameras, which the owner had installed only a week ago -- ''just to be on the safe side'' -- caught the whole drama.

The robbers got Lovell's money. But Lovell, who neighbors and friends say is in tiptop shape and looks years younger than he really is, pulled out his handgun and shot both in the head.

Donicio Arrindell, 22, of North Lauderdale died. Fredrick Gadson, 21, of Fort Lauderdale, was critically wounded.

The front window was blown out and cash strewn around the shop.

''There were fives and rolls of coins everywhere,'' said Detective Robert Rettig of the Plantation Police Department.

Rettig said Lovell, who has a permit to carry a concealed weapon, is not expected to be charged. ''He was in fear for his life,'' Rettig said.

Reporters and television crews clustered Thursday outside Lovell's two-story town house in Plantation, hoping for an interview. He didn't show.

CLEAN-LIVING

Friends said Lovell is amicable and soft-spoken, doesn't drink or smoke, and is a no-nonsense kind of guy.

''There's no BS with him,'' said White, of Yulee. 'You could compare him to Clint Eastwood in Dirty Harry. But because of his lifestyle, he's like `Clean Harry.' ''

Neighbors and friends said he is unmarried, drives a Corvette and sometimes is away for long periods of time. A neighbor collected his mail Thursday.

At one point during his Marine career, the Kentucky native served as a pilot for presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. After retiring from the Corps, he became a pilot for Delta and Pan Am.

Bryan Sklar, who serves on the Townhouses at Jacaranda board with Lovell, said he is a straight-up guy.

''I've seen pictures of him with John F. Kennedy,'' Sklar said.

After the holdup Wednesday night, the suspects were transported to Broward General Medical Center, where Arrindell was later pronounced dead. Gadson, listed Thursday night in serious condition, faces armed robbery charges. And because someone was killed during the crime, he also will be charged with murder, authorities said.

BEST FRIENDS

The two young men were longtime best friends and roommates in North Lauderdale, Arrindell's grandfather, Meanwell Prince, said Thursday.

''My grandson was a good child,'' he said.

The last time he spoke to his grandson was shortly before the robbery. At 10:50 p.m. Prince called his grandson, who told him to leave the door unlocked because he would be home soon.

The next morning, Prince awoke to find police at his door.

Prince was shocked to learn what had happened.

''What could possess them to do this?'' Prince said.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Editorial; News/Current Events; Philosophy; US: Florida
KEYWORDS: banglist; castledoctrine; erikasberas; jenniferlebovich; johnlovell; marines; miamiherald; plantation; rtc; secondamendment; semperfi; subway; usmarine; usmc
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To: Old Teufel Hunden
You and I think alike. I know lots of folks around here carry semis, but my favorite carry piece is a Charter Arms Bulldog chambered in .44 Spl.

I figure if I need more than five, I should be running!

That revolver is small, comfortable, and at pistol fighting ranges is accurate enough. The .44 Spl cartridge gives me the approximate power of a .45 ACP in a much smaller package.

It'll make a wicked big hole and the possibility of over penetrating a target is much reduced over a 9 millimeter or even a .40 caliber.

That's not to say I don't love my Colt. I do. It's just that the revolver makes a lot more sense most times.

Just my opinion, your mileage may vary.

Semper Fi.

L

61 posted on 06/30/2007 7:16:59 AM PDT by Lurker (Comparing moderate islam to extremist islam is like comparing small pox to ebola.)
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To: Thinkin' Gal; goldstategop; aculeus; dighton; Lijahsbubbe; Lurker; AnAmericanMother
''My grandson was a good child,'' he said.

The Default Rhetoric when it can be factually proven that he was never an Honor Student.

62 posted on 06/30/2007 7:20:23 AM PDT by martin_fierro (< |:)~)
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To: stevie_d_64
Being “in fear for his life” is a standard legal phrase used in these cases to justify the shooting.

Believe it or not, handing over the money was an important act in establishing that the shooting was justified. Since Lowell had cooperated with the robber's demands and handed over his cash, he had nothing more of value to surrender to them. When they ordered him into the bathroom, he had reason to fear (suspect) that they intended to do him harm. That's the fear being referred to here; not "mind-killing," paralyzing fear.

But he also had previously decided on a plan and provided himself with the means to implement it...

The rest is history.

63 posted on 06/30/2007 7:38:42 AM PDT by Captain Rhino ( Dollars spent in India help a friend; dollars spent in China arm an enemy.)
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To: hoosierham
'We all love him,' Subway shop owner Khalid Malik says of John Lovell, who killed an armed robber.

Another item of note is the store owner isn't questioning, condemning, or second-guessing the customer's actions.

This is true. Arabs, Muslim or Christian, will defend their convenience stores. The owner didn't have to shoot but no pussyfooting liberalism for him. He appreciates the shooting done by the retired Marine

64 posted on 06/30/2007 7:42:36 AM PDT by dennisw
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To: Lurker
What do you think of a Star .45 compact,6 rounds,ambidextrous safety?

I grant it is much heaver and bulkier than the 5-shot .38 that was once carried.

65 posted on 06/30/2007 8:04:46 AM PDT by hoosierham (Waddaya mean Freedom isn't free ?;will you take a creditcard?)
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To: hoosierham
What do you think of a Star .45 compact,6 rounds,ambidextrous safety?

I've checked out a few of those 'micro' 1911 clones. I may have checked the Star, but I can't swear to it.

I don't care for them because the grip doesn't completely fill my hand. I just don't find that I can get a good, secure grip on them over all.

It feels strange to me to have the grip only come 2/3 of the way down my palm.

L

66 posted on 06/30/2007 8:11:54 AM PDT by Lurker (Comparing moderate islam to extremist islam is like comparing small pox to ebola.)
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To: csvset

You made me smile just thinking about it!!!

LLS


67 posted on 06/30/2007 8:34:12 AM PDT by LibLieSlayer (Support America, Kill terrorists, Destroy dims!)
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To: tanknetter

Excellent idea!

LLS


68 posted on 06/30/2007 8:34:41 AM PDT by LibLieSlayer (Support America, Kill terrorists, Destroy dims!)
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To: Nailbiter

>I missed the veggie part, more impressed by the ruthless way he dispatched the perps. Wish we all had the right to CCW.<

How about changing that to “ more impressed by the efficent way he dispatched the perps.


69 posted on 06/30/2007 8:38:00 AM PDT by B4Ranch (Check out this website for the National Veterans Coalition http://www.nvets.org/)
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To: goldstategop

What Would Jesus Do ?


70 posted on 06/30/2007 8:46:42 AM PDT by traumer
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To: sig226

>In some states, if a mugger pulls a knife, you have a legal duty to attempt to escape before you can use force.<

So the bugger can stab you in the back. Or is it meant to say, “Take one step back, then fire.?”


71 posted on 06/30/2007 8:49:33 AM PDT by B4Ranch (Check out this website for the National Veterans Coalition http://www.nvets.org/)
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To: Ahithophel

spellchecker.com??

What word is spelt incorrectly?


72 posted on 06/30/2007 8:56:27 AM PDT by B4Ranch (Check out this website for the National Veterans Coalition http://www.nvets.org/)
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To: sig226

Sounds like he was going to allow it to go down, but then he didn’t like the idea of being pushed back into the bathroom. For what reason? Execution. Whips it out and drops both perps. Deserves another medal. Hoo-rah!


73 posted on 06/30/2007 8:56:36 AM PDT by Jabba the Nutt (Jabba the Hutt's bigger, meaner, uglier brother.)
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To: rabidralph

“Subway, shoot fresh!”

NOW that is a tag line to admire.


74 posted on 06/30/2007 10:55:30 AM PDT by driftdiver
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To: Nailbiter

I feel your pain...

You would be most welcome here in Texas...

We certainly have our moments, but for the most part we respect and trust our citizens...

Amazing what can happen to you when you hang your hat beyond some line on a map, huh???

Sorry if this is a sore subject for you...


75 posted on 06/30/2007 12:42:07 PM PDT by stevie_d_64 (Houston Area Texans (I've always been hated))
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To: Allegra

Damn skippy, he sure did...


76 posted on 06/30/2007 12:43:40 PM PDT by stevie_d_64 (Houston Area Texans (I've always been hated))
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To: rudy45

“Officer, I would love to talk to you about the facts in this incident, but I really need time to get it together, and when I can talk to “investigators”, my lawyer and I will be happy to do so...I hope you understand I need to calm down, get things straight, I’ll help you guys out real soon.”

This type of statement is proper, and true...No reason to believe otherwise...Most Law Enforcement I know, have seen this type of statement and agree with its meaning...And more importantly its purpose...

Anything beyond that, before you get with your lawyer is a hole you don’t want to start digging, by talking too much more than this statement...

If you want a little more, I’ll PM you a link to a website that you’ll enjoy talking shop about this kinda stuff...Good people, very knowledgable...


77 posted on 06/30/2007 12:56:10 PM PDT by stevie_d_64 (Houston Area Texans (I've always been hated))
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To: dennisw

I think he should hang a sign stating:

“All Concealed Weapon Permit holders Welcome!”


78 posted on 06/30/2007 12:58:25 PM PDT by stevie_d_64 (Houston Area Texans (I've always been hated))
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''There's no such thing as an ex-Marine, and he typifies this,'' said longtime friend Wesley White.

Despite Wesley White's best intentions there are, indeed, ex-Marines. Ritter, Murtha, Glenn, Garwood, Oswald, Lonetree, Dellums, Carville, Dennehy, McFarlane, are the names of just a few.

79 posted on 06/30/2007 2:08:03 PM PDT by A.A. Cunningham
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To: traumer
What Would Jesus Do ?

I have a strong suspicion that the Messiah would have used a 10 mm.
80 posted on 06/30/2007 7:33:48 PM PDT by dbehsman (Life member NRA and loving every minute of it!)
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