Dormont(PA) auto shop owner fatally shoots armed attacker

[RamboLiberal]

For the third time in a week, a victim fought back against an armed attacker and killed him, police said.

The owner of an auto shop in Dormont fatally shot a robber Thursday morning, Allegheny County police said. Two gunmen died in earlier incidents in Munhall and Sharpsburg.

"We have a right to defend ourselves and our property," said Larry Likar, a former FBI agent who teaches criminal justice at La Roche College. "Sometimes people feel they have no choice."

A gunman walked into Bill's Auto Service on Limha Way behind West Liberty Avenue just after 11 a.m. yesterday and ordered owner Bill Miller and an auto parts delivery worker to drop to their knees inside the garage bay, assistant county police Superintendent James Morton said.

The robber took the deliveryman's wallet. Miller drew a gun and shot the robber, Morton said. He could not say how Miller was able to obtain his weapon. He fired once, killing the robber, who was armed with a stun gun.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_714072.html

[slackmaster]

1. Tragic waste of life

The robber made a series of bad choices.

[oneshooter]

2. Yes, but they were HIS choices. n/t

[sharesunited]

3. Alas, zero points awarded. Just another guns-as-solution-to-guns story.

[shadowrider]

4. You prefer the employees had been murdered so no witness was left behind? n/t

[slackmaster]

5. It's actually a guns as solution to fucking violent asshole criminals story

:hi:

[high_and_mighty]

6. I think everyone should read a little closer...

"He fired once, killing the robber, who was armed with a stun gun."

I would say thats one point since a stun gun is a touch weapon.

[RamboLiberal]

8. The guy had a real gun as well and was coming back with that

-----

Westbrook shocked Miller with the stun gun, placed a handgun against the deliveryman's head and forced him to drop to his knees, then walked out of the shop, Thompson said.

"Apparently the full force of a Taser did not get Mr. Miller because he was able to shake it off, get up and go to a cabinet" to get his gun, Thompson said. "And all of a sudden, the door opens up again, and he comes back in with his gun pointing at Mr. Miller.

"Mr. Miller fired first," Thompson said. "(Westbrook) took one step to the right and fell."

District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr.'s office will determine whether to file charges or rule the killing justified. Mike Manko, spokesman for the DA, said in an e-mail last night that he did not know how long the investigation would last.

Thompson does not believe Miller will be charged. He said the deliveryman, whose name police did not release, would corroborate Miller's story.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_714333.html

A robber who was armed with a gun and an electric stun gun was shot by one of his victims.

http://www.examiner.com/self-defense-in-national/robbery-victim-shoots-violent-robber-self-defense

[RamboLiberal]

7. More on the story - he sure picked the wrong victim

On the ground and dazed from the jolt of a stun gun, Bill Miller peered over his shoulder and saw his assailant slip out the door.

-----

Mr. Miller scrambled to his feet and grabbed the pistol he keeps in a cabinet above his desk, tucked in the corner of his small auto shop in Dormont.

"I took a step and looked right at the door and all I saw was a chrome gun coming back in," Mr. Miller said. "When he came back, I knew it wasn't to say Merry Christmas."

-----


Mr. Miller works six days a week as a mechanic. He's also a Vietnam veteran and a licensed NRA firearms instructor who specializes in personal protection. He served with the Army's 1st Air Cavalry Division and holds a permit to carry a concealed weapon -- not the type of man an armed robber would want to come up against.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10352/1111739-55.stm#ixzz18WyzmKcS

[SteveM]

9. There's that "drop to their knees" ritual: precursor to execution, probably. nt