Thursday, December 9, 2004

WTG, Karen Smith

Karen Smith is a hero in my book.  Sunday morning, in an act of self defense, Karen Smith shot a robber in the Sunoco convenience store where she worked as a clerk.  The PAR (punk ass robber) leaned over the counter and demanded money.  He had his hand in his coat pocket, with his finger pointed, giving the impression that he had a gun in his pocket.  Ms. Smith gave him the money from the cash register, but he demanded more.  When she told him she didn't have any more money because she had just opened up the store, he became agitated and pointed his hand in his pocket at her, making her believe he did in deed have a gun.  He took a few steps back from the counter, and Smith reached down below the cash register and pulled out a rather large revolver and shot him.  WTG. 

The PAR was hit in the shoulder (excellent shot, Karen).  The tape showed him flailing and flopping around on the floor, all while Ms. Smith still kept the gun pointed at him.  She called 911 and told them she shot a robber who was still in the store.  Minutes later, officers arrived and simply asked Ms. Smith to put the gun down, and then arrested the PAR.  When he was released from the hospital the next day, he was taken into custody and charged with armed robbery.  I was very happy to hear that no charges would be brought against Ms. Smith.  Even if they had charged her with assault, after they saw the store surveillance tape, there's not a jury in this country that would have convicted her. 

The article I read had the headline "Tape Shows Clerk Shooting Robbery Suspect."  Somehow, I think "innocent until proven guilty" just doesn't apply in this case after seeing the surveillance tape.  I'm sure the ACLU would think otherwise, but who cares.  Here's a link to the video if you want to see for yourself: http://nbcsandiego.feedroom.com/iframeset.jsp?ord=941764

One day when I'm a boss, I'm going to track down Karen Smith and offer her a job; she's the kind of lady I'd like working for me. 

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Way to go, Karen!!

Another case of "innocent until proven guilty not seeming appropriate is the 25 year old gunman who stormed the stage at a Columbus, OH rock concert, shot the guitar player and three other people and was about to slaughter a hostage when he was taken down by a police officer who was able to respond immediately to the call (less than two minutes from call to building entry, less than one minute from building entry to killing the gunman).  Anyway, I thought it was interesting that they still had to call this guy "the shooting suspect".  Guess, what...screw politically correct...the guy did it!  So way to go Karen and way to go Columbus cop!

Anonymous said...

It's coincidental that this week's heros are from Columbus, OH.  I might consider moving up there.  I think they would protect me.