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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: dbehsman

I think you meant Ted Nugent.


81 posted on 06/30/2007 8:39:43 PM PDT by sig226 (Every time I hit spell check, the fishies got all messed up. 'Bye fishies . . .)
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To: rudy45

Fear is normal. It’s evolution. We all have fears. Some of us are able to push them aside and do what needs to be done. A man who is afraid of combat and does it anyway, because he sees a greater good, has my respect. I salute him.

A man who tells me that he fears nothing impresses me not at all. I think he is foolish and values nothing.

Your answer is correct, and in some states it takes away the emotional part of the question that some sleazy lawyers use to their benefit. It is, however, less than honest. This is a fault of the judicial system and not the man.


82 posted on 06/30/2007 8:47:55 PM PDT by sig226 (Every time I hit spell check, the fishies got all messed up. 'Bye fishies . . .)
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To: Jabba the Nutt

I think he did the manly thing. He was willing to let the scumbags take the money until they threatened him. Money can be replaced. Lives can not. All of the marines I’ve known have an incredible respect for life. I think if it was just about money, Mr. Lovell would have given them the cash. Instead, they threatened his life and he acted. I think that in his best world, he would have simply bought his dinner and gone home, wishing a better path for those who are not wise.

Of course, this is only my opinion. BTW - your screen name kicks ass!


83 posted on 06/30/2007 8:58:19 PM PDT by sig226 (Every time I hit spell check, the fishies got all messed up. 'Bye fishies . . .)
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To: stevie_d_64
My thoughts from another article posted on this forum. ____________________________________________________________

It appears only one suspect had a firearm.

What is interesting to me, as the suspects are pushing the victim towards the restroom, with his back to the suspects, the victim reaches into the back of his pants, his waistband, and shoots both.

It seems the suspect armed with the gun either didn't see him do this, or the suspect was awful damn slow to react.

From the article on another thread.

''They apparently demanded he pick it up,'' White said. ``He said he couldn't. That's when they started to push him toward the bathroom.''

Pure speculation here, but after trying to visualize this I'd bet after the victim said he couldn't pick up the money off the floor, he might have said something about having a bad back, as the suspects started pushing him towards the restroom he was probably facing them, and fained or pretended his back was hurting, reaching with his arm as if to hold his sore back, and whammo!

I've love to speak with the victim, and hear the holster and weapon used.

84 posted on 06/30/2007 9:14:42 PM PDT by dragnet2
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To: All

From the other article.

>>>He reached inside the back of his pants and pulled his gun from its waist holster, which had been covered by a loose T-shirt.<<<

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1858818/posts?page=44#44


85 posted on 06/30/2007 9:18:28 PM PDT by dragnet2
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To: B4Ranch

efficient is much better word thank you


86 posted on 06/30/2007 10:10:33 PM PDT by Nailbiter
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To: rabidralph

Or maybe Quiznos - Mmmm, mmm, mmm - TOAST


87 posted on 07/01/2007 1:02:27 AM PDT by bt_dooftlook (Democrats - the "No Child/Left/Behind" Party)
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To: stevie_d_64

Not a sore subject, just depressing at times


88 posted on 07/01/2007 5:02:05 AM PDT by Nailbiter
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To: bt_dooftlook

LOL! That’s a good one!


89 posted on 07/01/2007 7:42:07 AM PDT by rabidralph
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To: driftdiver

Thank you. Thank you very much.


90 posted on 07/01/2007 7:43:12 AM PDT by rabidralph
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To: goldstategop

The asinine judicial media circus of America is all up in arms they cannot parade the evildoers through a long and lengthy trial and future incarceration, no Discovery shows, no Courthouse TV, no excuse for lawyers.

This is REAL justice!

We need to keep a constant bump on stories like this.


91 posted on 07/01/2007 7:49:52 AM PDT by Eye of Unk
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To: goldstategop; Joe Brower; Squantos; Eaker

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.

Way to go!


92 posted on 07/01/2007 7:58:13 PM PDT by Travis McGee (--- www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com ---)
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To: dragnet2

There is a senario we play out in IDPA matches that simulates a distracting move on the part of the person defending themselves in a situation like this...

We take an object simulating a wallet or clutch purse (for the ladies) bring it up, and at the moment the stage begins, we drop it to the floor/ground and proceed to draw and fire against either a single target, or multiple threats, and we are then scored on the time and accuracy of the shot placements...

The thing that would be interesting to see is if the gentleman has ever participated in an IDPA match before...

Its a lot of fun, and good practice if you can find a group that does this near you...

This particular incident really looks something like what I described...It does work to distract a BeeGee long enough to give you a chance to defend yourself, if you are put in such a disadvantage...


93 posted on 07/02/2007 5:35:32 AM PDT by stevie_d_64 (Houston Area Texans (I've always been hated))
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To: Travis McGee

Kinda gets you to thinking that those cute little snubbie .38’s are just as good as the high-tech semi’s we keep handy for just such occasions...

Your just as got with one of those, as you are with the 9mm and up crowd...

Great to see you again my friend!

Sunshine State treating you well???


94 posted on 07/02/2007 5:50:03 AM PDT by stevie_d_64 (Houston Area Texans (I've always been hated))
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To: stevie_d_64
and at the moment the stage begins, we drop it to the floor/ground and proceed to draw and fire... This particular incident really looks something like what I described..

This isn't what occurred here. The shooting occurred after he dropped his money on the floor, and while the suspects were pushing him towards the bathroom, according to multiple news stories. See #84.

95 posted on 07/02/2007 8:37:20 AM PDT by dragnet2
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To: dragnet2

Sure, you’re right, I meant to descibe a “similar” situation where you might be able to distract long enough to draw and dispatch said threat...


96 posted on 07/02/2007 10:50:49 AM PDT by stevie_d_64 (Houston Area Texans (I've always been hated))
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To: stevie_d_64
Well, I don't know if I'm right in regards to my speculation, on what occurred, but I'd almost bet a cup of coffee it's close to what happened.

Could you do me a favor? If they ever interview this guy, and publish it, could you ping me if you see it? I am interested in hearing details from him, and the weapon/holster used. Thanks.

97 posted on 07/02/2007 11:02:52 AM PDT by dragnet2
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To: dragnet2

Thats not a problem...FR is not my only source for defensive shooting incidences...

I’ll be happy to ping you if I see anymore details...

But know that the odds are slim that anyone in the news media will know one end from another...right???


98 posted on 07/02/2007 12:23:50 PM PDT by stevie_d_64 (Houston Area Texans (I've always been hated))
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