Store owner turns tables on robbers

[pbwalker]

CCTV:January 05/09.(Also watch news report attached)Newly released surveillance video showed what happened during an attempted robbery inside a Phoenix jewelry store earlier this month.

Phoenix police said two men tried to rob D Jewelers near 32nd Street and Bell Road on January 5.

Police said Gregory Mills, 24, and Jason Buckingham, 27, initially went into the store and tried to sell a watc More..h. The store owner told the men he could not purchase the watch and the men left.

About 10 minutes later, the two men came back and sprayed the owner in the face with mace. One of the men then used a metal baton and smashed the glass to a jewelry display cabinet.

The 61-year-old store owner told police he feared for his life so he took out a handgun from his pocket and fired several shots at the men, hitting them each one time.

After the shooting, the video showed the owner hitting one of the suspects on the head several times causing his gun to discharge.

The video also showed the owner holding both men at gunpoint until police arrived.

Police investigators said the victim acted in self-defense and was not charged.

However, the case will be reviewed by the Maricopa County Attorney's Office for a final determination regarding charges.

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=efd_1233192978" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (video)

[BluHog]

A beautiful thing to watch!

It appeared, however, that the one guy on the right near the exit (which evidently automatically locked - HA!) was trying to surrender early on. But the good news is the PPD has already watched this and determined it was a righteous shoot so all's well in the Valley of the Sun.

[goinincircles]

I'm obviously a horrible person because that video made me laugh out loud. It's just funny to see their reactions when their ill conceived plan goes about as wrong as it possibly could. As far as the one guy trying to surrender.....maybe so......but if my eyes were maced and I could somehow still see you or your outline ....I'd probably have to shoot as well assuming they were pointing a gun at me. Good shoot I'd say.

[Fangs]

They would have had better luck charging him... assuming they knew the door was locked. I think it's great how they tried to use the table as cover.

[KD5NRH]

After the shooting, the video showed the owner hitting one of the suspects on the head several times causing his gun to discharge.

Important lesson; don't pistol whip people while you have ammo left.

[Purplehood]

I don't blame the store-owner a bit, but it does emphasize how a heated-moment can effect your judgement. I would hope that I wouldn't go "ape" in a similar situation. The potential for someone walking by outside the store and getting hit by a stray-round went up exponentially (did I spell that right?).

[BluHog]

...but if my eyes were maced and I could somehow still see you or your outline ....I'd probably have to shoot as well assuming they were pointing a gun at me.

Excellent point.

Good shoot I'd say.

I concur!

[NTexas_V-Star]

I don't blame the store-owner a bit, but it does emphasize how a heated-moment can effect your judgement. I would hope that I wouldn't go "ape" in a similar situation. The potential for someone walking by outside the store and getting hit by a stray-round went up exponentially (did I spell that right?).

Yes. Yes you did.

Awesome story, I hope that never happens at my workplace. If it does, both the owner, and myself are prepared though.