Irish
03-06-10, 11:41
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20100306/NEWS/3060341/1001/NEWS/Store-s-owner-won-t-be-charged
A Vicksburg store owner who shot an armed robbery suspect to death will not face criminal charges because the shooting was in self-defense, said Assistant Police Chief Jeffery Scott.
The suspect, who had not been identified late Friday, was killed Thursday after a four-mile car chase that ended in a crash at the U.S. 61/I-20 westbound access ramp.
Police are still seeking a second unidentified suspect, who fled from the scene.
The store owner, whose name authorities are not releasing, chased two robbers from the La Chiquita grocery store, 4002 U.S. 61 South, in an attempt to get the license number of the Toyota Corolla the robbers were driving, Scott said Friday.
The suspects shot at the store owner, who returned fire and shot the suspect who fell from the bridge and died.
The store owner told police he saw the man fall. Police found the body Friday morning.
Warren County Coroner Doug Husky said the man, estimated to be 24, died from a gunshot wound.
The man had no identification on him, but may be from El Paso County Texas, Scott said, without elaborating.
"We have contacted authorities there in an attempt to identify him," Scott said.
Husky said next of kin had not been notified, and he could not release further information.
The second suspect also may have been shot, Scott said.
The two men entered the convenience store on U.S. 61 South around 8 p.m. Thursday and put a SKS semi-automatic rifle to the clerk's head, Scott said.
"They ordered her to the ground and struck her in the back of the head," Scott said. The men then stole cash and merchandise from the store and took a wallet from an unidentified male customer who was inside. No one was shot during the robbery.
The clerk was treated at a local hospital and released.
The store's owner, who was inside the attached restaurant when the robbery occurred, chased after the suspects' vehicle.
According to Warren County property tax rolls, the grocery store and adjacent El Ranchero Mexican Restaurant properties are owned by Jesus Martinez of Vicksburg. Attempts to reach him were unsuccessful.
Scott said police located the dead suspect about 6:30 a.m. Friday after a passing driver reported seeing a body under the ramp.
"We called off the search, but we have alerted hospitals in Madison Parish, La., Port Gibson, Natchez and Jackson," Scott said.
A Vicksburg store owner who shot an armed robbery suspect to death will not face criminal charges because the shooting was in self-defense, said Assistant Police Chief Jeffery Scott.
The suspect, who had not been identified late Friday, was killed Thursday after a four-mile car chase that ended in a crash at the U.S. 61/I-20 westbound access ramp.
Police are still seeking a second unidentified suspect, who fled from the scene.
The store owner, whose name authorities are not releasing, chased two robbers from the La Chiquita grocery store, 4002 U.S. 61 South, in an attempt to get the license number of the Toyota Corolla the robbers were driving, Scott said Friday.
The suspects shot at the store owner, who returned fire and shot the suspect who fell from the bridge and died.
The store owner told police he saw the man fall. Police found the body Friday morning.
Warren County Coroner Doug Husky said the man, estimated to be 24, died from a gunshot wound.
The man had no identification on him, but may be from El Paso County Texas, Scott said, without elaborating.
"We have contacted authorities there in an attempt to identify him," Scott said.
Husky said next of kin had not been notified, and he could not release further information.
The second suspect also may have been shot, Scott said.
The two men entered the convenience store on U.S. 61 South around 8 p.m. Thursday and put a SKS semi-automatic rifle to the clerk's head, Scott said.
"They ordered her to the ground and struck her in the back of the head," Scott said. The men then stole cash and merchandise from the store and took a wallet from an unidentified male customer who was inside. No one was shot during the robbery.
The clerk was treated at a local hospital and released.
The store's owner, who was inside the attached restaurant when the robbery occurred, chased after the suspects' vehicle.
According to Warren County property tax rolls, the grocery store and adjacent El Ranchero Mexican Restaurant properties are owned by Jesus Martinez of Vicksburg. Attempts to reach him were unsuccessful.
Scott said police located the dead suspect about 6:30 a.m. Friday after a passing driver reported seeing a body under the ramp.
"We called off the search, but we have alerted hospitals in Madison Parish, La., Port Gibson, Natchez and Jackson," Scott said.