Murfreesboro, Tennessee

From the Murfreesboro Daily News Journal of April 12, 2006

J.D.'s Market owner shoots robbery suspect

Convenience store owner Karim Barakat feared for his life when an armed robber demanded money and cocked his handgun about 7:45 p.m. Tuesday at J.D.'s Market in downtown Murfreesboro, a police spokesman said.

Instead of giving up any money, Barakat reached for his own handgun and shot suspected robber Edward Christopher Evans, 24, in the arm, said Murfreesboro Police Lt. Alvin Baird.

Evans, who is expected to be charged in connection with the robbery, was treated at Middle Tennessee Medical Center's emergency room.

Barakat's wife and daughter were inside the Maney Avenue store at the corner of Vine Street during the robbery and shooting. They were not injured.

More information from a subsequent article in the same publication on April 13, 2006

J D's owner shoots suspect

Wounded man charged in robbery

Store owner Karim Barakat didn't shoot at first when a robber pointed a gun at him during a holdup about 8 p.m. Tuesday at J D's Market in downtown Murfreesboro.

But when the robber chambered a round and pointed the gun at his wife, Frieda, and adult daughter, Hala, the 71-year-old Barakat said he started pulling the trigger.

"He was going to shoot us," Barakat said.

Detective Jim Wyatt reported Barakat fired three rounds from a .38-caliber handgun, striking the suspect, Edward Christopher Evans, in the wrist and shoulder.

The impact knocked the suspect outside of the market on Maney Avenue and Vine Street, four blocks from Murfreesboro Police Department. The money he is accused of taking landed beside him.

Evans, 26, of 535 N. Academy St. was treated at Middle Tennessee Medical Center and released into the custody of Wyatt who charged him with aggravated robbery of Barakat and two counts of reckless endangerment. He was released on $16,000 bond. A hearing is scheduled May 18 in General Sessions Court.

Murfreesboro Police spokesman Alvin Baird said no charges were filed against Barakat.

"The suspect appeared to be racking another bullet into the chamber," Baird said. "That put the owner in more fear, and he did what he had to do to protect himself and his family."

Police don't advocate store clerks putting themselves at risk over money, but Baird noted that people have a right to protect themselves.

No charges were placed against Barakat because he was defending himself and his family, Baird said.

District Attorney Bill Whitesell said police have not informed him yet about the shooting.

"If those are the facts, it sounds like he was acting in self-defense," Whitesell said. "A person has a right to defend himself and others against the threat of death or serious bodily injury. Anyone that has a gun committing a robbery and pointing a gun at people — certainly that fear exists."

Barakat and his family moved to Murfreesboro 16 years ago and bought the store five years ago. They've never had any problems with customers, so a video surveillance tape was turned off.

The owner paced the floor Wednesday when he described the robbery and shooting.

The suspect wore a mask when he entered the store but Barakat recognized him as a customer.

Barakat demonstrated how the accused robber pointed the gun at the family, ordered them to put their hands in the air and demanded, "get me the money."

He said he placed the money in a bag and the man took it and started to leave, but then chambered the round and pointed the handgun at Barakat's wife and daughter.

"How am I going to protect myself and my family?" Barakat said he asked himself. "He was going to shoot us. I am an old guy."

He reached for his handgun and shot Evans. His daughter, Hala, called 911.

"The gun drops from his hands," Barakat recalled. "I took the gun and put it on the counter."

Barakat had never shot anyone before.

"It was really a bad situation," Barakat said. "I was shaking. This is the first time I ever faced a problem like this. This is the first time I've shot in defense of myself."

His son, Al, who was working another job at the time, said the robber had the money and a chance to leave but threatened his family.

"My dad just feared for his life and his family," Al Barakat said. "My dad did what a typical man would do — protect his family."