HPD: Cell-phone store clerk kills attempted robber

[BJBK]

The fatal shooting of an attempted robber by a clerk at a southwest Houston cellular phone store will be referred to a Harris County grand jury without charges, police said today.
The shooting happened shortly before 7 p.m. Monday after the man entered the T-Mobile store in the 7500 block of the Southwest Freeway and pointed a pistol at two employees, police said.
A third employee, who is licensed to carry a concealed handgun, confronted the man and the two exchanged shots, investigators said.
The attempted robber died at the scene. The employee was not injured.
The dead man's name was withheld, pending positive identification by the Harris County Medical Examiner's Office.
The investigation is continuing, police said.

 

[40Arpent]

And I hope T-Mobile doesn't have a "no gun" policy...that would suck for this highly commendable person.

 

[JKTex]

And I hope T-Mobile doesn't have a "no gun" policy...that would suck for this highly commendable person.

Probably doesn't matter if they do or not, they usually have strict policies on what to do in the case of a robbery, and it's to cooperate.

Kudo's to him, but he's likely out of a job; but it'll be interesting to see what happens. Now he can get a better one with all the attention he's getting. Of course, after recuperating from the ordeal.

 

[byrom1212]

Just makes you think whats going through peoples heads when they try to rob a store wouldnt you think some one might be carrying a gun it is texas you know.

My boss would prefer us to carry.

 

[funkybassplayer]

why do you think he would lose his job after this (unless defending the store against a robbery is agains company policy). if they did fire him wouldn't he have somekind of wrongful termination suit to win.

 

[Rob1796]

why do you think he would lose his job after this (unless defending the store against a robbery is agains company policy). if they did fire him wouldn't he have somekind of wrongful termination suit to win.

Many companies that have retail outlets usually have policies that, if someone tries to rob you, don't be the hero, give them what they want and let it be. I guess they assume that people trying to rob you are perfectly logical beings and as soon as they get what they want, they will be on their merry way with a kind "good day to you sir". I don't agree with it, but I've worked a few places where I had to close pretty late at night, and that was the order. Even if you could overpower the criminal, just give them what they want and hopefully let them be on their way...and you know what they say about wishing in one hand.

Because of the policy, the store owner could argue that the employee violated company policy (regardless of how stupid it may be), and it is grounds for termination.

 

[JKTex]

Because of the policy, the store owner could argue that the employee violated company policy (regardless of how stupid it may be), and it is grounds for termination.

Not argue, it would be a clear violation of a company policy and they'd almost have no choice but to follow through with the corrective action the policy outlines. Otherwise they have an uprising of ever employee that's ever been disciplined under company policy.

However, the policy is in the best interest of the company. The last thing they want is for an employee to be injured or killed trying to defend a company asset because the company encouraged it or did not discourage it. Liability is a bitch, but it's real.

It's a catch 22 but as an employee, there's a responsibility to adhere to the companies policies. Obviously putting personal safety first because well, it's more important than a job.

 

[Rob1796]

Not argue, it would be a clear violation of a company policy and they'd almost have no choice but to follow through with the corrective action the policy outlines. Otherwise they have an uprising of ever employee that's ever been disciplined under company policy.

Very true.

However, the policy is in the best interest of the company. The last thing they want is for an employee to be injured or killed trying to defend a company asset because the company encouraged it or did not discourage it. Liability is a bitch, but it's real.

It's a catch 22 but as an employee, there's a responsibility to adhere to the companies policies. Obviously putting personal safety first because well, it's more important than a job.

And again, very true. I've had this discussion with my girlfriend many a time. Her store has a "give them what they want" policy, but at some point, you can't just give them what they want when they starting wanting more than just the cash.

 

[Mark F]

All too often perpetrators are violent by nature, meaning they will kill for no reason. This happened 6 weeks ago in Alvaredo. A youngster walks into a gas station and shoots a female attendent without saying a word to her. He attempeted to open the cash register, and walked away with NOTHING. This little turd was caught about 5 days later.

Company policy means nothing when your life is at stake.

 

[TexasFats]

Even if you lose your job, which is easier to get: a new job or a new life? Stupid, give 'em what they want policies don't consider that the crook might want to take your life so that you can't testify or just because the goblin is some sicko who gets a kick out of killing people.