Convenience Store Owner Who Killed Thief Sentenced To 8 Years In Prison

USA – KOMO TV 4 in Seattle, Washington reports 01-23-19 in Spanaway, the results of a March 16 convenience store owner shooting a shoplifter.

In March 2016, an individual was a shoplifting suspect at the Pacific Quick Shop and trying to flee from the store.

Now a month later, the owner was the one dealing with people trying to steal from his store. He told KOMO News back then it was a struggle for his gun and he shot the suspect in self-defense.

“I was down and he was on top of me and he was trying to reach my gun,” the owner said in a March 26, 2016 interview.

The prosecutor however said the video showed a suspect who was unarmed and hands up. After a brief scuffle, the suspect tried to get away, that's when the owner fired shots.

“I did not have the right to take (the suspect’s) life” the owner said in court on Friday. “I feel terrible that I did so and will have to live with that for the rest of my life.” “I was shot by a robber and after that my husband struggled in fear of losing me,” the owner’s wife told the court.

Judge John Hickman agreed it was a tough situation, but said deadly force was not warranted.

The convenience store owner was sentenced to eight years in prison. He told the judge he accepted responsibility for what he did and apologized for his actions.