Has anyone else heard of this case in Oklahoma? I’m shocked. This pharmacist was sentenced to 38 years in prison for killing an armed robber when his store was held up. The armed robber, complete with ski mask, pointed a gun at two teenage store workers and demanded money. I don’t know about you all, but if anyone pointed a gun at one of my daughters, I would want him shot. What if someone pointed a gun at your wife, your husband, your child? Wouldn’t you defend yourself, if you could? If you had a gun in your hand, and someone else was pointing a gun at your child, wouldn’t you shoot the guy with the gun? So this store’s pharmacist defended not only his store, but the two young girls. And now he’s going to jail. Unbelievable.
In court when the guilty (of murder) verdict was read, the thug’s family and friends were hugging and cheering. I guess it doesn’t matter that he put on a ski mask and held up a pharmacy by gun point? He should still be alive, then? Not fair that he was shot and killed while doing something like that? Wasn’t he himself prepared to shoot and kill someone that day? Shouldn’t we just call it being killed in the line of duty and call it a day? After all, he made it his duty that day to hold up a pharmacy at gun point. And he was killed while doing it. He took that gamble and lost. And the guy defending himself and the lives of two others is going to prison for life. Unbelievable.
Who was sitting on that jury? The thug’s friends and family? I mean, really. I just don’t understand the justice in this one.
I did understand the story exactly the way you told it. I don’t think it matters if he shot the guy 5 extra times. He was already dead? then it didn’t hurt him any to be shot 5 extra times.
I think if more criminals knew that people are going to defend themselves — even “excessively” like this guy did — then perhaps they’d think twice about threatening people with guns. I’m just thinking out loud here….but if someone broke into my home with the intent to steal our things, and in the process pointed guns at me and my kids to keep us still, and I had a gun and had the chance to shoot one of the guys….I don’t think I’d stop at just one shot. Nope, I’d empty a load into the guy. I believe my emotions would get the better of me, my adrenaline would be on overload, and I do not think I’d be wrong in doing so. The criminals are the ones who started the violence by pointing THEIR guns and threatening MY family. Why shouldn’t I be allowed to be “excessive” when defending myself? Even if I thought one shot to the head killed him, if I then shot him a few more times just for good measure, I should get 38 years in prison? HE was the criminal, not me. All I would be doing is reacting to what HE started. If he didn’t make the choice to threaten me with his gun in the first place, then I’d never have reason to shoot him.
All HIS fault. Not mine. No prison time for the victim, right? It should be that way, anyway. So I’m sad that this pharmacist is getting 38 years for shooting someone “excessively” who threatened him and others with a gun.
Just my opinion, of course.
Thank you for your comment …and for your compliments on my name and my family
First time poster and Oklahoma resident: I think you may not know the entire story. If the pharmacist was simply defending his store he would not be going to jail. He shot one of the robbers in the head, killing him, then chased after the other who fled on foot. That person got away, was later found, convicted and spending life in jail..as he should be. Returning to the store the pharmacist stood over the first robber and fired five (5!) more times into this person. He was already dead and no longer a threat. He was not convicted for defending himself, but for being so excessive. I own a gun and would do the same thing…minus the 5 additional shots.
A very sensitive case for sure..
PS-love your name..and your family!
I don’t understand it at all. Brad and I just finished watching the documentary Dear Zachary. That one will horrify you at the system we live in and stay with you for weeks. We know first hand because we have actively tried to adopt from the state and made it all the way to the last step of the process only to be turned away due to them assessing that we can not adequately care for more children due to the number already within the home and children are at risk due to corporal punishment policies….yet they allow stuff like this in the documentary to take place. The murderer of the father to care for his child. CPS cannot rescue the 2 girls that are being sexually abused in our small town that everyone is fully aware of due to “hands being tied” yet they can protect children from coming into our home and the government convicts people whoe defend themselves??? I seriously question the entire American system. Watching Pregnant in America and The Business of Being born pretty accurately portrays what’s on the forefront of the US government. Money. Our judicial system is seriously messed up.
This is seriously a crime, I question our justice system in this country. How can some of these judges sleep at night??
I hope this goes to the supreme court.
Wow. I haven’t heard about this, but what a sad story! Totally unfair.
Thanks for stopping by Nifty Mom, gladly following back!
That is so unfair and so unbelievable! My heart goes out to the poor pharmacist and his family.
Thanks for following. Now following you back.
First time poster here but I wanted to say…
I live in Oklahoma and I’m so confused an ticked off about the conviction! This poor man should be at home with his family not sitting in a prison cell for defending himself.
I’m glad to see how many people are behind him and I pray that helps save him from prison.
I realize a life was lost and yes it’s sad, a child left this earth to soon BUT this child made his choice, but he knew right from wrong and he chose that path and lost.