Store Clerk Shoots, Kills Robber

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Posted: 2:36 PM Aug 25, 2007
Last Updated: 2:45 PM Aug 27, 2007
Email Address: news@kake.com

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Wichita's 36th homicide of the year will likely be the city's first justifiable homicide of 2007.

A store clerk shot and killed a robber who was holding up a north Wichita business Saturday morning. Police say the man walked into Salyer Pharmacy near 21st and Broadway and explained to a female employee that he was going to rob her.

But the female employee was not alone. Three other employees were also inside the store. One of the male workers grabbed a gun and shot the robber once in the head. Police are not saying whether they know if the robber had a weapon.

Police Captain Randy Landen says all four employees were taken to police headquarters for questioning. The robber was rushed to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

None of the employees were arrested. Landen says the case will be presented to District Attorney Nola Foulston's office on Monday. The DA will decide whether or not any charges will be filed in the case.

The name and age of the victim has not been released.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Shot in the Head Location: On the floor at room temperature on Aug 28, 2007 at 11:25 PM
I heard about this on the scanners just as it was happening... this dirtbag, low life criminal had a gun pointed right at this young lady's head and was screaming that he was going to blow someone's head off if he didn't get cash and drugs. The employee made a mistake and only fired once at his head. If it were me, I would have emptied the entore magazine in this waste of flesh's head and then reloaded just for general purpose. I can't believe the lame coverage that KAKE is given this story - this is a big win for the good guys, but the KAKE KLOWNS are portraying the low-life, scum criminal as a victim. KAKE and Larry, get a dose of reality here, this is a huge win. Instead of covering a story where the employees are murdered and the killer got away, you can report this win. Hooray for the employee/hero! You get my vote for Chief of Police. It is about time someone takes action ans stands up against this drug addict-killer-thieves. Kill the all on the spot and save the tax payers.

Posted by: Danny Location: North Platte, NE on Aug 28, 2007 at 12:14 AM
To the family of the robber, my condolances to you in this time of your loss. To the victims that was being robbed, hope there is support for you for this ordeal. To the man that shot this fellow human being, I really hope you get help and support to get thru this time. This really has to be bad for you since you took another person's life. This young man needed help which his family tried to get for him, but he chose his path which lead to this awful ending. Could this of ended differently. Only one person knows and that is the good lord above. I still stand with my earlier comment, but wanted to add to it in this matter.

Posted by: Danny Location: North Platte, NE on Aug 27, 2007 at 11:56 PM
Sorry this happened. But calling this a justifiable homicide isn't right. Granted this person was robbing the store. But to be shot in the head. That's overkill.

Posted by: Eric Location: Marion County on Aug 27, 2007 at 02:56 PM
Hey, I have lost family members who had a nasty addiction. They had the chance to clean up. We even offered help, but they refused. This is the drug addicts fault....they are the criminals, not the rest of society. When society has to defend themselves, the druggie does NOT become a victim. If anyone is the victim, it would be the people in the store who were threatened by this druggie. So, with that said, I have had family who are scumbags....and they have or are reaping what they sewed. SO, DO NOT CALL THE POOR VICTIMS IN THE DRUG STORE VIGILANTES! DO NOT START TO DESCRIBE THE ROBBER AS A VICTIM! DO NOT SAY THE ACTUAL VICTIMS TOOK THE LAW INTO THEIR OWN HANDS! He was not a victim....the victim in the case was the one who won the gunfight. Koodos to the folks who stand up to terror! Koodos to those who refuse to be victimized! I hope it never has to happen, but I have a shotgun at home, and will use it to protect my family and myself......as do many other people in Kansas!

Posted by: Kelly Location: L-town on Aug 27, 2007 at 09:55 AM
You know, I really didn't know the man very well, but I do know that someone very special to me loved him. I grieve not for him, but for her. His time on earth was tormented and short as he fought a losing battle to drug addiction. He no longer has to face that battle everyday, but the people that loved him will have to face the battle everyday of overcoming loss, walking through the darkest valleys, and wondering if there was anything else they could have possibly done. There wasn't. He made his choices, he paid dearly, now let him and his family rest in peace. While we all are entitled to our opinions, there is nothing to be gained here by some of these statements, other than more pain. God Bless You, K, I'm thinking of you.

Posted by: Travis Morgan Location: South Wichita on Aug 27, 2007 at 05:17 AM
They should hang his dead ass on the fence as a warning to others.

Posted by: Bill Location: Wichita on Aug 27, 2007 at 01:35 AM
Any death is sad, but the only victim(s) in this case were the victims of an attempted armed robber. Waiting for the police while an armed man demands money and drugs is a coin flip with death. The police do the best they can, but they can't be everywhere. The clerk did not take the law into his own hands, he responded in a proper manor. Saving himself and other law abbiding people in the store. the slant your 6 pm newcast had was highhanded and just plain wrong. It is sad someone died, but it would have been sadder if it had been anyone else at the store. the terror of having been at gunpoint never leaves you, even if you are physically unhurt. Please do not call criminals who reap what they sow victims; it is deeming to real victims.

Posted by: Keith Location: Wichita on Aug 26, 2007 at 11:14 PM
Shame on Hatterberg for saying the pharmacy clerk defending his (or her) self and co-workers against a robbery "TOOK THE LAW INTO THEIR OWN HANDS." Larry, have YOU ever waited for the Wichta police to show up? Have YOU been subject to being robbed in a pharmacy? I thought not. Even though bleeding heart liberals don't like it, we as Kansans have the right to self defense. Grow up Larry.

Posted by: Hurting and angry Location: wichita on Aug 26, 2007 at 11:02 PM
I am a family member of the deceased, and to all of you who have been supportive thank you very much. To the rest of you good riddance, glad to know you are perfect and have never made any mistakes, hopefully someday you won't be burying someone you love and have to face undue ridicule.

Posted by: Robbed Location: Wichita on Aug 26, 2007 at 09:26 PM
I was hoping this was the end to the man who robbed my family and I in a string of robberies during winter of 2006 - but the more I find out I doubt it was him. Unless you have personally been in this situation, you can not fully understand the terror involved. If I had a gun, I would have tried to get a shot on my robber while his back was turned to the terrified cashier/waitress/owner of the restaurant. It would have been hard from under the table though. I always wondered why people get under the tables and what they do under there - PRAY!!!! It took a lot of courage to stand up to this robber and I commend the person who did it. I know the robber had a family and I hope God carries them through this time. I also hope God carries this store clerk through the guilt, doubt, and fear of the another robber walking in the door. I pray also for the others who were there because there will be nightmares, there will be memories and feelings that will never go away during this life.

Posted by: amazed Location: sedgwick county on Aug 26, 2007 at 08:36 PM
I am amazed at how many people lose sight that they are not perfect. I am very close to his family and they are wonderful people. Obviously none of you have gone through a tragedy, if you had you would not sit there and trash someone you don't know. He had traveled down a hard path in life, a path which none of you obviously understand. What you need to learn is to be respectful of others. What if that was your father,brother, or husband that just died, how bad would these comments hurt you??!! They would cut you like a knife. Stop and think before you are so hasty in your words. This family has gone through enough watching him walk down such a rough road and now they have to bury him, put yourselves in their shoes...you have no idea.

Posted by: Eric Location: Marion County on Aug 26, 2007 at 08:30 PM
This seems to be a good case of self-defense. It is sad that anyone would refer to this as "taking the law into their own hands". Anyone who says that needs to be victimized by the very type of robber who got his butt capped. By the way, Kansas now has its own castle doctrine. There is no requirement to retreat, and the family of the dead bad guy cannot sue! Before you bleading hearts out there start crying about his addiction, just remember he could have went to rehab. He could have gotten clean. He made the choice to perform armed robbery, scaring his victims, forcing them to defend themselves. I only wonder how many other crimes he has gotten away with until now?? I guess Nola isn't going to get a chance to plea this one away!! Good riddance!

Posted by: ME Location: SEATTLE on Aug 26, 2007 at 08:24 PM
LET ME START OFF BY SAYING I HOPE NONE OF YOU HAVE TO EXPERIENCE WHAT THIS FAMILY IS GOING THROUGH. REGARDLESS OF THE MEANS OF WHICH HE DIED HE IS STILL SOMEONE'S LOVED ONE. YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW THIS WOULD FEEL UNTIL YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH IT. MAY THE LORD BLESS ALL OF YOU IN A WAY YOU DON'T HAVE TO EXPERIENCE IT, AND EXPERIENCE WHAT ALL YOU HATEFUL PEOPLE HAVE SAID...NOT ONLY THE HURT OF LOSING YOUR LOVED ONE BUT THE HURT THAT PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW THEM OR YOU CAN CAUSE IS AMAZING. HOW DARE ANY OF YOU CALL HIM A DIRT BAG, YOU YOURSELF SHOULD BE CONDEMNED.

Posted by: Bob Location: Sedgwick County on Aug 26, 2007 at 07:57 PM
I am truly amazed that KAKE NEWS and a few others on here have had the audacity to call an armed felon that was threatening the lives of innocent people a victim! Just amazing! It is this attitude that has led to increasing levels of crime.

Posted by: Disappointed Location: Manhattan on Aug 26, 2007 at 07:46 PM
Is it not enough that this man is dead, is it not enough that someone has lost a son, lost a husband, lost a brother! Yet you people have to use hateful and demeaning words to voice your opinion. Yes, justice may have taken its course and yes for every action there is a reaction, but I will have all of you hateful people know that your degrading actions will have a reaction aswell, you better watch what you say because one of these days it could happen to your family. You should all be ashamed.

Posted by: jim Location: Wichita on Aug 26, 2007 at 06:25 PM
Being shot/ killed while comitting a felony is just an occupational hazard. One less dirtbag on the street. I feel terrible for him...ok, I'm over it now!

Posted by: Darkhorse Location: Wichita on Aug 26, 2007 at 03:47 PM
I think you as a news agency should ubderstand what the business owner did before you comment. It is called Self Defense and they had every right to do so. And on another note, I work in the Sedgwick County Criminal Justice system. Its a good thing the robber is dead, otherwise some soft hearted judge would have let him go on probation.

Posted by: Mark on Aug 26, 2007 at 03:46 PM
The employees were defending themselves, their very lives. The guy had a gun, pointed at them after being told to drop it, demanded narcotic drugs as well as money according to the employee's and police reports. The KAKE video makes it sound like vigilantism instead of justified self-defense for which the employees should be congratulated on. This sends a loud clear warning to other low life criminals that may contemplate threatening others. Sorry the man lost his life, this shows us all our actions have consequences that we can not always predict. Respect for others and other's property is much safer way to live than armed robbery.

Posted by: ray Location: arizona on Aug 26, 2007 at 03:12 PM
He got what he deserved. Shoulda shot him again just for good measure. And no, I have no sensitivity or sympathy for any of this ilk

Posted by: Steve Location: WCoast on Aug 26, 2007 at 12:43 PM
Let the good times roll . . .And the Lord God said, He who shooteth first, liveth to shooteth another day. Let the big boom, boom!

Posted by: heartbroken Location: Wichita on Aug 26, 2007 at 12:11 PM
The robber was my older cousin, i'm very sorry for what he did, but please be respectful, you don't know the whole story, so please understand that he had a wife, siblings and parents, please be respectful of everyone. He made a mistake and should have gone to jail. But his family his heartbroken, please remember to be sensitive.

Posted by: Dan Location: Austin, Texas on Aug 26, 2007 at 09:59 AM
Yeah for our side. Actions produce consequences which the robber didn't care about.

Posted by: Ben Location: Wichita on Aug 26, 2007 at 09:44 AM
An "unarmed robber" is instantly nominated for a Darwin award. As death ensued, he can now be confirmed. Here's to thinning the herd.

Posted by: Steve Location: Las Vegas on Aug 26, 2007 at 09:41 AM
Makes me sad this doesn't happen more often. Too many times the wrong people get killed.

Posted by: ex-employee Location: augusta on Aug 26, 2007 at 09:40 AM
I feel they should protect the people that work for them. Way to go.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: garden plain kansas on Aug 26, 2007 at 09:21 AM
It is a very sad situation the victim was a good person but had problems.I am sorry to see his life ended so short.God bless his family

Posted by: jim Location: wichita on Aug 26, 2007 at 08:30 AM
i think this is just to cool as a son of a local buisness owner who thinks about this situation every day i hope this sends a message to the people who think they need to rob somebody instead of working other wise known as (CRACKHEADS)i think all buisness owners and employees should carry guns and be trained to shoot and kill not injure think how much money is going to be saved with this person not going to our prison system...justice done!!!!! seems we dont need nola afterall.

Posted by: Russell Location: Hillsboro on Aug 26, 2007 at 06:39 AM
Your on air reporters called this "taking the law into his own hands" I call it self defense. Do you know there is a difference, or do you care?

Posted by: William Location: Odessa on Aug 26, 2007 at 05:51 AM
Hooray for our side! Just cleansed the gene pool of another bottomsucker!

Posted by: Mark Location: Wisconsin on Aug 26, 2007 at 12:57 AM
So, isn't that what you could call, "Over kill?" Pun intended. It probably wasn't the smartest thing for the employee to shoot before making some noise about having a gun. But, then, the suspect was only in the store to rob it.

Posted by: Liz Location: Wichita on Aug 25, 2007 at 10:02 PM
As a loyal,satisfied customer of the pharmacy, I am sorry to hear of this incident. I am glad there were no employees harmed and I support their right to defend their business. I just hope this does not scare businesses and customers from the area. We need to support the rebuilding of the west 21st Street improvements for traffic and businesses just as we did the east 21st street improvements, especially for long standing necessary businesses such as Salyers Pharmacy.

Posted by: Jon Location: Kansas on Aug 25, 2007 at 09:20 PM
Way to go employees!!! I feel for the family of both parties, but they did the right thing.

Posted by: kelly on Aug 25, 2007 at 08:26 PM
good, i wish more people would take care of these creeps and maybe the crime would drop cause these dirtbags would think twice before commiting their next robbery

Posted by: erin on Aug 25, 2007 at 05:52 PM
That is awesome, we need more of that since the DA won't prosecute the criminals