Walgreens fires pharmacist who stopped robbery with handgun

[MassHavoc]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-walgreens-fires-pharmacists-who-stopped-robbery-with-handgun-20110908,0,3266165.story

A pharmacist who thwarted an attempted armed robbery inside a southwestern Michigan drug store where he was working by shooting his own gun is suing after being fired from his job.



Attorneys for 36-year-old Jeremy Hoven on Wednesday released surveillance footage of the robbery attempt, which happened about 4:30 a.m. May 8 at a Walgreens in Benton Harbor. He sued last month in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids, claiming wrongful termination.



Deerfield-based drugstore chain Walgreen Co. denies many of Hoven's claims, including his assertion that he was fired over a company “non-escalation” policy.



Hoven had permit to carry a concealed weapon but apparently didn't notify his employer he was carrying a gun.

 

[BigPete]

Much like the now 'convicted murderer' pharmacist in OK, I don't blame this guy one bit. I would have shot and killed the perp.



I may wish that no civilians had guns, but the fact that such a large criminal element in society has them, the rest of us should be allowed to defend ourselves.

 

[klemmer]

Much like the now 'convicted murderer' pharmacist in OK, I don't blame this guy one bit. I would have shot and killed the perp.



I may wish that no civilians had guns, but the fact that such a large criminal element in society has them, the rest of us should be allowed to defend ourselves.

Agreed. It's too late to do anything about that issue.



That said, he got fired for one reason, liability. Walgreen's and many companies don't want to get sued as a result of this kind of action.

 

[jaxhawksfan]

Policies like this just continue to promote the idea that "it's only stuff and can be replaced, unlike human life". As long as we keep sending that message to criminals, they are going to continue that lifestyle. Once the pendulum swings and we start saying "**** you, that's my stuff and here's a bullet in your head" the crime rate may drop a little. Will it ever be anywhere near zero? Hell no, but let's start making these thugs think twice.