Former Marine's Actions Called Into Question
Family Of Subway Robbery Suspect Says Customer Shouldn't Have Pulled Trigger

POSTED: 10:30 am EDT June 29, 2007PLANTATION, Fla. -- The family of one of the men who was shot by a retired United States Marine while they attempted to rob a Subway sandwich shop said the customer shouldn't have pulled the trigger.



According to Plantation police, two armed men barged into the Subway at 1949 Pine Island Road shortly after 11 p.m. Wednesday, demanding money from the employee behind the counter. When they tried to force John Lovell into the bathroom, he pulled out a gun and shot both men, police said.

Donicio Arrindell, 22, was shot in the head and later died at the hospital. Fredrick Gadson, 21, was shot in the chest and ran from the Subway, but police found him in hiding in some bushes on the property of a nearby BankAtlantic.

Lovell, 71, was the lone customer at the time. Police said he had a concealed weapons permit.

Gadson's grandparents told Local 10 on Thursday that Lovell was wrong for pulling the trigger.

"He should not have taken the law in his hands," said Rosa Jones, Gadson's grandmother.

Her husband, Ivory Jones, also condemned the media for its portrayal of Lovell's actions.

"I don't condone what they did, (but) I definitely don't condone the news people making him out to seem like they're making a hero out of this man because he shot somebody down," he said.

But Lovell's neighbor said he made the right decision.

"He did the right thing," said Wendi Hill. "I mean, I was glad that it was them that got shot and not him."

Police said Lovell, a retired Marine, wouldn't be charged.



for the slower folks, the thread title is sarcasm

*shakes head*

Thank you, Chris. I have very little faith in the world as it is, but the fact that this dude isn't going to be charged at least restores a little bit of my faith in it.

Also, the town name is "Plantation"? ouch.

A man in Texas yesterday was also "not charged" with shooting two robbers that had climbed out of his neighbors window and then came into his own yard.

Gives you a little faith in the system to know that if someone points a gun at you and you leave a 2 foot hole coming out of their heads you won't be sent up the river by the liberals.

I had to read it twice just to be sure I understood it.

The family condemns the man for defending himself and should not have potrayed their grandson in a poor light... WOW

You know the next thing is going to be the race card played.

My1stJeep wrote:I had to read it twice just to be sure I understood it.

The family condemns the man for defending himself and should not have potrayed their grandson in a poor light... WOW

You know the next thing is going to be the race card played.

Yep, I couldnt believe the family is mad at the guy for defending himself

You have 2 armed black men robbing a restaurant. They force the only customer into a bathroom at gunpoint. What is he suppose to think? Hes older (71) and fearing for his life. He did the right thing, no questions asked.

offroadaz wrote:Yep, I couldnt believe the family is mad at the guy for defending himself

You have 2 armed black men robbing a restaurant. They force the only customer into a bathroom at gunpoint. What is he suppose to think? Hes older (71) and fearing for his life. He did the right thing, no questions asked.

You realize, that of course he should have simply asked, what are your intentions? Will you be placing me in the facilities restroom to confine me while you make your get away? Or do you intend to cease my existance here on earth? Then after the response he could have asked for a moment to gather his thought, then reacted. Maybe that would have made the family feel better, that he at least pondered the actions of shooting, because of course he knew as well as the grand parents that there is no way their grand son would have ever pulled the trigger. How many are there in prison that still believe their family member could not have done it?

Just so there is no mistake, the above was riddled with a bunch of sarcasm.

Cry me a river, he got what he deserved, that marine was fully within his rights and acted 100% appropriately.