Got held up tonight

[XD in the OC]

I am a pharmacist in Orange County. Tonight it was our turn to be held up at gunpoint. This year there has been a lot of pharmacy robbery here in the (Undisclosed area of So. Cal.) . It was just only time that this would happen to us.

Well, the BG jumped over our 3-foot “security door” of the pharmacy. And pulled out a gun in the pharmacy area. As he walked past me, the gun looks like a .380 auto. He was wearing a dark color hooded sweatshirt and the customary ski mask. He also had blue latex gloves on. So overall, he looked like the part of a BG. The other staff pharmacist showed him where we keep the narcotics and unlock the doors for him. Then he did something really dumb. He turned his back towards us. At the time, the pharmacy had a staff of 5 people. He was trying to put the narcotics in a shopping bag himself. So he was really distracted going through the shelf and putting the narcotics in the bag himself. I uncovered my gun underneath my sweater but still have my pharmacist coat over in a concealed position. I did not want him to see that I was arm nor did I want to escalate the situation. Now he still had his back towards me, and I now that I can put 3 rounds of .40sw 165-grain hydra-shok as soon as he turns around and face me. But at this point, I did not see the need to draw my weapon on him. All he really wanted was the narcotics and leave. As it turns out, he ended with very little of the “good stuff”. He may have looked the part of a really BG. But I felt that he was really not very good at what he was doing. When he finished, he ask were is the back door? Which tells me that he did not plan his escape. When it was all over he left the pharmacy. When everybody gets to go home to their family, I call that a good day.

When the police arrive at the pharmacy. I showed them my CCW and allow the LEO to read my CCW permit. Thanks to posting on how to notify a LEO. I have to say that it was the best way to let them now that I was arm.

As I write this post, I have to say that although we were robbed I do not feel like a victim because I knew that I could have defended myself if I needed too. It was very comforting to know that unlike VT shooting, the mall shooting, and the church shooting, I had more than a phone to defend myself.

[No Drama]

I'm sure you will get a lot of posts saying you should have done this, or you should have done that. The bottom line is.....you didn't get hurt and you didn't have to shoot anybody......thats a good ending.

[OCCCW]

You kept cool, sized up the BG's demeaner and did what you thought was best in the situation you were in. No sense in second guessing or arm chair quarterbacking, as you said at the end of the day, everyone went home.



Host - please delete if necessary. A rhetorical question .....(or PM me as this may be forum-ly incorrect) if the BG would have had a completley different demeanor, one that was agressive and menacing, would one need to give him the opportunity to turn around and face you like the old west chivalrous conduct (knowing he was armed and dangerous) thereby giving him a chance to draw and fire? It would be advantagous for a subjective subject matter of "when to shoot/confront", or perhaps more appropriately, "when not to shoot/confront". Seems to me that XD did what was right for him. The obvious downside to society is that the BG is still at large and may eventually shoot someone else.

[ChrisG]

XD in OC: You did the right thing IMHO. You were a good witness and everyone went home unhurt. Good job.


OCCCW: How I understand the law, you must be in fear for your life or in fear for someone else's life for a shoot to be justified. I think you would be justified if you take down a BG who's back is turned to you if said BG is holding a gun to someone's head threatning to kill them. That said, I would probably try and distract them enough so that their gun is not pointed at anyone when I shoot. You never know what their trigger finger is going to do when hit by a .45

[rycerz]

Originally Posted by OCCCW

Host - please delete if necessary. A rhetorical question .....(or PM me as this may be forum-ly incorrect) if the BG would have had a completley different demeanor, one that was agressive and menacing, would one need to give him the opportunity to turn around and face you like the old west chivalrous conduct (knowing he was armed and dangerous) thereby giving him a chance to draw and fire? It would be advantagous for a subjective subject matter of "when to shoot/confront", or perhaps more appropriately, "when not to shoot/confront". Seems to me that XD did what was right for him. The obvious downside to society is that the BG is still at large and may eventually shoot someone else.

Dangerous question so tread lightly: I think it comes down to: if you feel in DANGER FOR YOUR LIFE act as you feel appropriate at the moment, but keep in mind that you might have to face the legal system (either criminal or civil or both) in the aftermath.

[CCWInstructor]

You did the right thing.

[BonoVox]

All I can say is wow!

That BG must have had an Angel looking over him. He will never know how close he came to taking his last breath last night.

No way I can critique your actions as I was not there seeing it through your eyes. But it sounds like you did a good job.

VERY glad to hear you and your coworkers made it out all in one piece!

So I have to ask, what did the LEO say to you after the fact? Upon learning you had a CCW on you, any comment on why you did or did not act?

[Glock32]

Wow. Good outcome to a really bad situation. Congrats on your part and thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.

[tdogg]

I think you did the right thing. You were ready to take him out if he did start shooting. Anyone working in your line of profession, like a banker, would know they're going to be robbed at some point. It's not going to fix the world by you detaining one individual at gun point until the police arrive. Especially considering this guy just seems to have wanted a fix. If this guy would have started using deadly force then I am sure you would have responded appropriately.

[G30 Steve]

Originally Posted by CCWInstructor

You did the right thing.

I agree 100% with CCWI. You absolutely did the right thing.

Because you did not feel your life or anyone else's life was in immanent danger, you would not have been justified in using deadly force.

Good job!

[BonoVox]

BTW I also agree with you. You were in no shape or form a victim last night.

Also have to add this is a good example of why we must all train on a regular basis. Especially drawing quickly and efficiently.

[damjo]

Great job on keeping cool and evaluating the situation at hand.

Glad all are safe.

[NSP]

How do your co-workers feel about your part in this scenario?

Also, good job

[hygyliac]

Originally Posted by XD in the OC

When the police arrive at the pharmacy. I showed them my CCW and allow the LEO to read my CCW permit. Thanks to posting on how to notify a LEO. I have to say that it was the best way to let them now that I was arm.

The FMs, SMs and Social Director are a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the best way to handle this form of contact.

Originally Posted by XD in the OC

As I write this post, I have to say that although we were robbed I do not feel like a victim because I knew that I could have defended myself if I needed too. It was very comforting to know that unlike VT shooting, the mall shooting, and the church shooting, I had more than a phone to defend myself.

You correctly and accurately accertained the threat level and were prepared to deal with it if it escalated to dire level. You should be proud of yourself . . . I'm pretty sure that the Forum is.

[OCRancher]

Great job! Self control, kept your awareness about you, and made quick decisions.

As far as force, I agree, a shooting here would have been questionable or worse. I don't think holding a gun to someone's head is needed to shoot the BG, but unless the BG demonstrates agressive behavior with the gun, it would be hard to say you felt your life was in immediate and imminent mortal danger. For example, if he shot a warning shot in the ceiling and then started waving and using the gun to frighten you to open the safe, etc, and at that point you felt your life was in danger, you might be justified in shooting in self defense. It has to come down to your perception of the level of threat against your life (your ceision based upon the circumstances). For most scenarios pictured against reality, it really boils down to the totality of the circumstances. (Immanence)

Luckily, this guy just wanted his drugs.