Gas Station Clerk Fatally Shoots Robber

[paramedic70002]

http://www.wpxi.com/news/13687045/detail.html

Gas Station Clerk Fatally Shoots Robber
Police Use Tattoos To ID Victim

POSTED: 8:27 am EDT July 16, 2007
UPDATED: 5:39 pm EDT July 16, 2007

PITTSBURGH --
5 PM UDPATE: Identity Known Of Robber Shot, Killed By Clerk

12:10 PM UDPATE: Channel 11 has learned that police have identified the man in the fatal attempted robbery at a Mt. Washington gas station. It is not known if officials used the victim's tattoos to identify 30-year-old Raymond Crawford.

Police are hoping tattoos will help them identify a suspect killed during a robbery attempt -- and they are asking for your help.

Officials said the man tried to hold up the BP on Route 51 in Mount Washington just before midnight Sunday.

Police were unable to identify the victim through fingerprinting. However, he did have several tattoos.

Police are hoping someone will recognize the markings and be able to positively identify the man.

According to authorities, the man entered the gas station, pointed a gun at the clerk and demanded money and cigarettes.

The clerk emptied the register and stooped down to get the cigarettes.

When he stood back up, he pulled out a gun and shot the robber twice in the chest, killing him.

While some say the clerk's actions were risky, others applaud his courage to fight back.

Customer Octavia Ferrell said, "I think it's needed more these days because it's just too much of this going on these days. And actually if he hadn't shot them they might have shot him."

Be sure to stay tuned to Channel 11 throughout the day for more details on this story.

Previous Stories:

* July 15, 2007: Store Clerk Shoots, Kills Armed Robber

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Cupcake]

So long, Sucker!

[portsider44]

It is not known if officials used the victim's tattoos to identify 30-year-old Raymond Crawford.

Glad it worked out for the true victim (clerk) here. I just hate it when reporters try to make criminals look like victims.

[retsupt99]

Victims 1
Perps 0

Final Score...

Stay armed...stay safe!

ret

[falcon1]

Beechview cashier might be charged in death
By Jill King Greenwood
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, July 17, 2007

A gas station clerk who fatally shot a man trying to rob him has worked at the store for years and was just trying to make a living, his father said Monday.

Surveillance tapes of the Saturday night incident at a BP service station on Saw Mill Run Boulevard in Beechview appear to show that clerk Walter C. Wetzel Jr., 58, of Mt. Washington, acted in self-defense when he shot Raymond Crawford, 30, of Northview Heights, Pittsburgh police said.

"What was my son supposed to do?" said Walter C. Wetzel Sr., 81, of Mt. Washington. "He was just trying to do a job and make a living, and when someone comes in and points a gun in his face, it's either him or the other guy. I don't think he had any choice."

Police are conferring with prosecutors to determine if Walter Wetzel Jr. will face charges, said Mike Manko, a spokesman for the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office. Wetzel couldn't be reached for comment.


Remainder of Update Here:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitt.../s_517593.html




That's just great!

"When confronted with an armed criminal, don't resist, but just let him kill you."--the new advice from prosecutors.

[Sig 210]

"Police were unable to identify the victim through fingerprinting. However, he did have several tattoos."

A good shoot. An armed robber gets what is coming to him and the left wing rag calls the scumbag a "victim." i gotta puke.

[portsider44]

Beechview cashier might be charged in death

ANybody else get the anti-gun feel from this title??

Police are conferring with prosecutors to determine if Walter Wetzel Jr. will face charges, said Mike Manko, a spokesman for the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office.

To me this would seem to be standard operating procedure in any shooting & thus is not neccessary a sign he will be charged.

However, I am sure the victim is still sweating this out until he is cleared. I sure sound like a good shoot from what we have seem.