Retired NYC firefighter shoots suspect (AZ)

KVOA (Tuscon) ^ | January 21, 2005

[Mr. Mojo]

The man being credited with stopping the accused kidnapper is no stranger to danger.

He moved to Bowie after retiring from the New York City Fire Department where he was one of the first people into the World Trade Center after terrorists first attempted to topple the towers in 1993.

He says, "I just drew and fired."

His one shot went thru 24-year-old Johnny Williams's shoulder and through the cinder block of the building.

Ritchie doesn't want his last name known.

He says the suspect walked into the Mountain View RV Park in Bowie at 5:45 a.m. and told him this was a robbery and to give him all the money in the cash register.

Ritchie says, "I saw his gun coming out. He reached inside his sweatshirt. I saw a gun and I said 'Oh well, time to react.' I reacted faster than he did."

Ritchie told Eywitness News 4 that after he shot the suspect, he called 911, looked out the window, and saw the would-be robber running through the parking lot and getting into his parked truck.

Ritchie was the wrong man to mess with. His weapons instructor told Eyewitness News 4 that all the locals know he carries a sidearm.

"We've never been robbed, seeing it changes a lot of people's attitude. It's an attitude-adjustment tool," Ritchie says. 

It's that tool, Ritchie says, that saved his life and probably the lives of others.

"He put my life in danger by drawing his weapon. He brought on it himself."

Ritchie did all this in about two seconds and, at the time, he didn't know Johnson was wanted for murder.

His message to the man he shot?

"You got what you deserved. Now you got to pay. You got caught."

[NRA2BFree]

Yes. He is a murderer. Also a Marine. Also black. But the news only says he is a Marine. Is that relevant? Is it prejudicial against the Marines?

Yes, it does seem to be taking a slam at the Marines. Nothing new for the MSM.

[NRA2BFree]

Police said she was killed at the hands of a man who went on a multistate crime spree before he turned up Friday at an Arizona hospital with a gunshot wound.

God bless her precious soul. She was just a kid and that sorry SOB killed her, for no reason. I hope TX executes him as soon as his trial is over.

[shezza]

Amen. Too bad Ritchie didn't aim for a tender spot between the perp's beady eyes.

[Kickass Conservative]

I am amazed that this incident does not get more attention regarding Right To Carry laws and self defense. In Los Angeles, the LAPD was and the local (Democratic)politicians were pushing for a ballot initiative to raise taxes for police services. The commercial they used to frighten the masses was incredible in its fear mongering.

"A woman alone at home on a dark night. Glass breaks, as the criminal enters her home she runs to her bedroom to call 911, but nobody answers. As she cowers on the floor in fear next to her bed, the man enters. She screams..."

Yep, pay more taxes or you will die. In my version, she pulls a Glock 40 out of the nightstand drawer and does the job the police, jury and judge would take ten years doing.

Thank God that the second victim was armed. Too bad the first victim wasn't. God rest her soul.

[Kickass Conservative]

I am amazed that this incident does not get more attention regarding Right To Carry laws and self defense. In Los Angeles, the LAPD was and the local (Democratic)politicians were pushing for a ballot initiative to raise taxes for police services. The commercial they used to frighten the masses was incredible in its fear mongering.

"A woman alone at home on a dark night. Glass breaks, as the criminal enters her home she runs to her bedroom to call 911, but nobody answers. As she cowers on the floor in fear next to her bed, the man enters. She screams..."

Yep, pay more taxes or you will die. In my version, she pulls a Glock 40 out of the nightstand drawer and does the job the police, jury and judge would take ten years doing.

Thank God that the second victim was armed. Too bad the first victim wasn't. God rest her soul.

[shezza]

In my version, she pulls a Glock 40 out of the nightstand drawer and does the job the police, jury and judge would take ten years doing.

(I got a Smith & Wesson .357 magnum for Christmas. Next is the ccw application. I have every intention of using it if the need arises.)

[No Surrender No Retreat]

One less oxygen thief and murderer to waste tax dollars on, in the cross bar hotel. NSNR

[To Lurk or Not to Lurk]

It's absolutely prejudicial and almost certainly intentional.

[Kickass Conservative]

Actually, I have a S&W model 29 (Dirty Harry) revolver using Remingtom Hollow Points. The good thing is that it will stop anyone dead in their tracks (pardon the pun). The bad news is the poor woman would have to repaint the entire bedroom. It would also wake up the neighbors. hahaha

[76834]

LOL
Mine's an old Model 19, probly older than me and that is saying a LOT.
Probly the loudest pistol I've ever had.
Still works fine and is always close at hand.

[Feckless]

went thru 24-year-old Johnny Williams's shoulder and through the cinder block of the building

I'll have some of what he's shooting, please.....