Cincinnati, Ohio



From Cincinnati's ChannelCincinnati.com of May 28, 2004

Store Clerk Allegedly Shoots, Kills Robber



Employee Questioned, Released By Police



A clerk in a convenience store shot and killed a man who was trying to rob him, according to police.



The shooting happened just before 10 p.m. at the Shop Rite store on Reading Road in Avondale, WLWT Eyewitness News 5 reported.



Police and paramedics found David A. Billups, 40, of Forest Park, Ohio, ... on the floor in the back of the store with a gunshot wound.



Billups was pronounced dead at the scene. He was wearing a ski mask and black leather gloves and was armed with a handgun when he was found, police said.



The clerk who pulled the trigger reportedly called 911. He was questioned by Cincinnati police investigators and then released.

Update from Cincinnati's ChannelCincinnati.com of June 3, 2004

No Charges For Store Owner Who Shot Suspected Robber



Gun Turned Out To Be Toy



No charges will be filed against a storekeeper who fatally shot a man who entered the store and pointed what turned out to be a toy gun, the Hamilton County prosecutor said Thursday.



The statement that storekeeper Abdrab Ashishi gave police was consistent with what investigators found at the scene and the coroner's autopsy report on the victim, Prosecutor Michael Allen said. Allen said the May 27 shooting of David Billups (pictured), 40, of Forest Park, was in self-defense.



"Police do not believe a crime was committed, nor do I," he said.