71 year old ex-marine neturalizes Subway robbers

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I'm guessing he used a 1911. Must have had some good training and practice to draw on two armed young men from a back holster without even being shot at.

http://www.miamiherald.com/467/story/156261.html

Subway shooter `used his training'
Two friends accused of robbing a Subway sandwich shop didn't count on a customer packing a gun.
BY JENNIFER LEBOVICH AND JENNIFER MOONEY PIEDRA
[email protected]
After a quiet dinner with his grandfather Wednesday, Donicio Arrindell and his best friend headed out for the night.

Three hours later, he was dead and his friend Fredrick Gadson was critically wounded.

The duo -- lifelong friends and roommates -- are accused of storming into a Plantation Subway shop, armed and announcing a robbery.

They didn't plan to encounter retired Marine John Lovell, 71, who had just finished a veggie sandwich and had a gun tucked in his waistband.

On Friday, two days after the foiled holdup, the families of the accused robbers were trying to understand what happened.

''He has never been in trouble before,'' Margaret Gadson said of her 21-year-old grandson, Fredrick. ``I don't understand how this could happen.''

And while Gadson's family tries to see him at Broward General Medical Center -- where he is under police guard and has been charged with armed robbery and murder in the commission of a crime -- Arrindell's family is traveling back from vacation in Dominica to plan his funeral.

''This is a pity,'' said Meanwell Prince, his 75-year-old grandfather. ``This is more than shocking.''

Since the robbery, Lovell, a former airline pilot, has kept a low profile, with reporters camped out at his Plantation home.

He did recount the ordeal to a close friend, Wesley White.

''He said everything was in such crystal clarity,'' said White, who is also his attorney. ``It was like he became hyper aware of what was going on.''

Friends describe Lovell as a fitness buff, who monitors his diet and works out regularly at the gym.

On Wednesday, after weighing himself and noticing he gained a few pounds, Lovell decided to eat a healthy dinner -- a veggie sub at Subway.

At 11:15 p.m., he finished his meal. As he walked toward the trash bin to clean off his tray, two gun-wielding men walked in.

Lovell was the only customer.

The robbers pointed guns at Lovell and the cashier and demanded they hand over their money.

Lovell cooperated.

He pulled out about $500 from his pocket and dropped it to the floor.

''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.''

With a gun pointed directly at him, Lovell knew he had to do something.

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.

He fired at the two robbers, striking them both.

When police arrived at the Subway, 1949 N. Pine Island Rd., Arrindell, 22, was on the floor, bleeding. A bandanna covered his face and he wore sunglasses. He wore dark gloves, and a handgun lay next to his left hand, according to a police report.

Outside, police found Gadson in the bushes along Pine Island Road. He had a knife, gloves, bandanna and Mace, the report said.

No charges will be filed against Lovell, who, police say, acted in self-defense.

During the Vietnam War, he served in the U.S. Marines as a pilot for Marine 1, a helicopter that ferried Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson.

Lovell was married years ago, but divorced soon after, White said. He has no children.

Neighbors described him as nonviolent man, who had no choice but to protect himself.

''He has training, and he used his training,'' said Phyllis Fabara, who lives around the corner from Lovell. ``Until you've had a gun pointed at you, how could anyone criticize him for reacting?''

* Makes me wonder what the reporter asked her.
 
Thanks! I looked through the threads and didn't see this. I should have assumed this story hit THR about the same time the cops arrived on the scene. :D
 
I just read the articles for the first time today. The grandparents of the criminal are all bent because they claimed Lovell "took the law into his own hands". What do they think their grandkid wanted to do when he tried to take Lovell into the bathroom at gunpoint? Exchance cosmetic tips?
 
When did it become a bad thing to "take the law into your own hands"? When did we change from a nation where people applauded doing the right thing to one where personal responsibility is frowned upon?
 
Good question HonorsDaddy, but at least there are still some people who applaud the actions of a man who does whats right, including Lovell's neighbors and us here on THR.
 
Three things come to mind:
1) Looking down the barrel of a pistol DOES focus your attention

2) There was a severe breakdown in the victim selection process

3) Mr. Lovell IS the weapon, he just accessed the proper tool

Good on 'ya, Mr Lovell, SIR!!
 
That happened not too far from me. The RO at my range shoots with him. A asked him to tell Mr Lovell that I want to buy him dinner. He's a hero. 71 years old! Those guys thought they picked a weak old man. Boy were they wrong.
 
Mr. Lovell is a retired Marine, not an exMarine. And he is a still a man, a traveler in a land of many sissified wimps, may God save us a core of men such as he.
 
When reporters follow up, oftentimes "never been in trouble before" leads to "...except for stealing cars, and dope, and stuff..." The important thing is that he won't be in trouble again.

Semper Fi Mr. Lovell.
 
Well im just gald it turned out like it did, two men armed it could have went the other way, i dont think he had any other chose but to shoot, as he was being held at gun point, if they had got him in the bath room he could be dead,and the employee too, sounds like they didnt just want the money, and what if he hadnt been there when they came in? i carry every day, hope i never have to use it! csa
 
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