Pharmacist Fired for Self-Defense Shooting After Walgreens Robbery

There's been a recent uproar in the shooting and self-defense communities concerning a story out of Michigan involving a robbery. In late May, two armed men entered a Benton Township Walgreens intending to rob the place and terrorize employees. The two masked individuals burst into the near-deserted store at 4:30 a.m., and took a manager hostage at gunpoint in the front of the store. One of the robbers then stormed the pharmacy counter and attempted to gun down the pharmacist, Jeremy Hoven. The robber's gun malfunctioned, giving the pharmacist enough time to draw his LEGALLY concealed firearm and engage the man, causing the shooter and his accomplice to flee the store without further incident. The Walgreens robbery seemed to be thwarted.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rfOgNThSLbQ

This is a text book right to self-defense scenario. Watching Hoven fight back gave me goose bumps. That was the right thing to do. There is no question, matter of fact, I find it hard to believe anyone (besides the criminals) could see it any other way. Well apparently, I am wrong.  The District Manager for the area Walgreens fired the pharmacist under the premise of a "no escalation policy" concerning armed robbery.  So basically, the district manager is claiming the pharmacist caused the robber to try and kill him, by defending himself after the robber tried to kill him. Huh? Say that again. Really?

Well, our gun-toting pharmacist is not one to back away from a fight, so he has filed a lawsuit challenging his termination. I for one hope he not only wins, but makes Walgreens change their policy and get rid of their moronic district manager.

These type of actions are slowly turning society into a haven of victimization. The criminals are attacking places were they know there is little chance of armed resistance. They are looking for these urban watering holes, lying in wait, ready to pounce on those inside. It is actions like that of the pharmacist that may give future criminals pause before they decide to act. They might just be met by a competent citizen and a  business end of a gun.

What are your thoughts on this particular incident or the trend toward de-clawing our society?