(TX) Convenience store owner fatally shoots would-be armed robber

[Drizzt]

Convenience store owner fatally shoots would-be armed robber

ABC13 Eyewitness News

(7/04/05 - HOUSTON) — A convenience store owner turned the tables on a would-be armed robber, leading to some deadly consequences.

It happened at the Sunny's food store on Synott near High Star in southwest Houston just after 9pm Sunday. Police say the suspect walked into the store, jumped the counter, and demanded money while pointing a gun at the owner and another customer in the store. The owner was able to produce a gun to protect himself.

"The store owner fired two shots and the suspect was later found dead behind the store," said Officer Philip Yochum with the Houston Police Department.

Police say the owner has not been charged, and that the case will be turned over to the Harris County District Attorney's Office.

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/news/070405_local_conveniencestoreshoot.html

 

[foghornl]

Good Guys 1
The Slime 0


The way it should be . . .

 

[Bob41081]

What is truly scary is I live less than 3 blocks from this incident and never even heard any sirens.

Bob

 

[Spreadfire Arms]

gotta love that. darwinism in action.

 

[Coltdriver]

Went to eat a business lunch at a Greek Resturant in southwest Houston once.

A fellow had been found dead in the stairwell of the strip mall where the resturant was just a few doors down from the restaurant.

When we came in the resturant owner (who knew my guests) was very agitated that this murder only made about page 4 of the paper in a small snippet of an article.

But then he showed us a Texas Hawg Leg in stainless that he was keeping at his host counter. He assured us there would be no problems in his restaurant!

 

[Standing Wolf]

The store owner fired two shots and the suspect was later found dead behind the store...

Why, how very considerate! He bled out in the alley.

 

[Bob41081]

No alley. About 20 foot grass strip IIRC. THe back side is a residential street.

Bob

 

[JohnKSa]

A convenience store owner turned the tables on a would-be armed robber, leading to some deadly consequences.

No, NO, NO!

The attempted armed robbery lead to deadly consequences.

The convenience store owner's turning the tables prevented at least one crime and possibly others.

Not only is the sentence twisted, but it conveys an opinion that is contrary to TX law. The criminal is responsible for the death, NOT the defender. Had the robber had an accomplice, the accomplice would actually be charged with murder.

Kind of sad that even a pretty decent article tries to twist things around to make it sound like the death is the store owner's fault.

[rewrite]A criminal's violent actions lead to deadly consequences when the armed owner of the store he attempted to rob turned the tables.[/rewrite]

 

[Matt G]

What is truly scary is I live less than 3 blocks from this incident and never even heard any sirens.

You know, if the call was made and taken correctly, maybe there weren't any sirens run: "Come pick up the cooling meat, please-- I'm losing business..."

 

[Stand_Watie]

Not only is the sentence twisted, but it conveys an opinion that is contrary to TX law. The criminal is responsible for the death, NOT the defender. Had the robber had an accomplice, the accomplice would actually be charged with murder

Not only Texas, but many states have 'felony murder' laws which derive from English common law.

 

[Johnny Guest]

Couple of points of law

First - - I am NOT a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV.
Second - - In a thread concerning some questionable activity in the South or Midwest, I'm kinda disdainful when someone declaims "IT'S THE LAW . . . " and tells about some obscure ordinance in some little Eastern township.

Howsomeever, since the activity under discussion took place in Texas, and deals with a First Degree Felony under Texas Penal Code, I make note of the following. JohnKSa wrote --

The attempted armed robbery lead to deadly consequences.

Under the TPC Criminal Attempt section, there's no such thing as Attempted Robbery. The offense of Aggravated Robbery is complete when the demand is made, coupled with a threat of deadly force or serious bodily injury. The threat may be express or implied - - No weapon shown, but, "Gimme the money or I'll cut your throat" is plenty to qualify. "Gimme the money," while displaying a gun is a completed offense, whether or not any property is given or taken. Again, Texas law.

Stand_Watie's mention of the Felony Murder charge, and the law of parties brings up an interesting, if seldom charged, situation. Two actors, A and B, enter the store. A, the apparent boss, makes demand of the clerk, "Open the cash drawer." Also tells B, "Shoot him if he moves," and B points gun. A rather uncooperative clerk uses his own firearm and kills B on the spot. A, himself unarmed, flees but is captured. A maybe thought he'd be subject to lesser charges if he didn't have a weapon. But, NO! A was a major participant in the offense, and by his actions, caused the death of B, though the clerk fired the fatal shot(s).

A may be indicted for Criminal Homicide in the death of B.

Just threw in this stuff. Nice work by the convenience store owner. Any word on type of firearm?

Best,
Johnny

 

[Randy in Arizona]

Standing Wolf

Why, how very considerate! He bled out in the alley.

Bob41081

No alley. About 20 foot grass strip IIRC.

Ok, how about: Why, how very considerate! He fertilized the grass!



I think I oughta move to Texas, even the goblins are considerate!