Prosecutor says people who rob stores ‘should expect to be shot’

New York Post ^ | Dec. 27, 2023 | Yaron Steinbuch

[george76]

An Ohio prosecutor has indicted a smoke shop manager for allegedly shooting to death a 16-year-old boy during a robbery attempt — but warned that people “should expect to be shot” if they target stores.

Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers filed the charges against the manager, Tony Thacker, 29, for allegedly shooting at would-be robbers as they fled VIP Smoke Shop in Delhi Township on Oct. 20..

“There is simply no justification for shooting at someone as they are running away,” Powers said ..

“However, I want to make perfectly clear — these retail thefts will not be tolerated. If you try to rob a store, you should expect to be shot,” ...

Thacker was inside the store when several people threw rocks through the front window to gain entry.

Thacker, who lived in the back of the business, went to investigate when he heard the glass break and encountered 16-year-old Travis Johnson and 19-year-old Amontae Carter, according to the outlet.

The manager, who is not permitted to own firearms due to an adjudication for a felony he received as a juvenile, allegedly gunned down Johnson and kept firing at the other suspects as they tried to flee in stolen cars, the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office said.

Carter was reportedly struck in one of the vehicles.

[hoosierham]

Some law is strange.

[Mouton]

I think NJ was the last state to abolish its fleeing felon statute as it relates to shooting felons on the run.

[cpdiii]

The proper answer is, “I was in fear for my life and have nothing else to say until my lawyer is at my side.”

[SteelPSUGOP]

If you broke into the store, just because you are running away does not somehow protect you from getting shot. You should still be considered a threat.

Now the guy doing the shooting was not supposed to own a firearm......charge him for that.

And please don’t say you should expect to get shot. You should expect to be killed. Dead. Finished.

[unlearner]

“Although none of them shot Johnson themselves, the three face murder and burglary charges.”

The prosecutor is right. The shooter knew he was in the wrong which is why he and his brother tampered with evidence.

Don’t do that. If you shoot someone, don’t answer questions. Get a lawyer. You’ll be able to figure out your best possible defense if you need one.

Also, as quoted from the article above, the perps who survived are facing murder charges for the actions of the shooter. Why? They involved him in a crime that caused his death. Doesn’t matter that they did not pull the trigger.

The shooter has some culpability. But so do the robbers.

Only shoot someone when you reasonably believe they are a threat to your life or the lives of others at that moment. In some cases, you might have the right to shoot to stop someone who is in the act of committing a crime. But I’d be very certain of the right to do so before pulling the trigger.

[Svartalfiar]

The store manager is a felon. He should never had a gun, essentially shot people in the back, he deserves conviction and jail. The crooks should be dead, but not shot in the back as they flee. Business should be held liable for hiring an armed felon as well.

Was he on probation/parole? If the State isn't going to offer him security, why should he not be allowed to defend himself once his sentence is over?

[anton]

Well I did not pronounce him guilty and there are no actual facts out yet, so I think I’ll wait to see how it shakes out.

I would point out from my review of HAM CO clerk of courts website that Mr. Thacker has an extensive criminal record and has heretofore managed to escape prison despite violent assaults involving handguns. And with eight charges pending against him he is out and about and set to be adjudicated before the Hon Wendy Cross (read Keith Ellison) for about 6 cases of felonious assault with a handgun.

So if she erred on the safe side, the grand jury can ignore it or “let em walk” Hon Wendy Cross can bond him out for $1 and an scheduled but not available ankle monitor.

[Jacquerie]

I believe you.

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

She is prosecuting him for shooting someone in the back as they ran away and no longer constituted a threat. That is the issue. That and being a felon in possession of a gun, which is apparently the law in OH.

[gundog]

🎼She had hair like Jeanie Shrimpton, back in 1965....

[wgmalabama]

The judicial system continues to fail the people they are hired to protect. The release criminals back out on the streets to cause crime over and over. When a citizen defends themselves, they are expected to do everything perfectly or they will go to prison but not the criminals. Once an average person is forced to shoot, they are stressed beyond reason and at that point are not in complete control over their senses. Hence I say he goes free.

[Reno89519]

The armed drug dealer felon was a felon selling drugs with a firearm. Sorry, that’s too many strikes, he should go to jail for life for being an armed felon. And what’s a felon doing selling drugs, even if supposedly “legal”?