Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

From Pittsburgh’s KDKA.com of July 15, 2007

Investigation Continues After Clerk Shoots Robber

Police continue their investigation after a would-be robber’s night of crime was brought to an end when he was fatally shot on Saturday night.

Authorities say the alleged suspect first entered a Co-Go’s on Mount Washington, demanded money and was able to get away.

Investigators tell us that the man later attempted to rob a BP along Route 51 just before midnight.

Police say the man entered the convenience store with a handgun and demanded money and tobacco products.

According to authorities, the clerk handed the would-be robber a bag of cigarettes and cigars. Then, the clerk pulled a gun, shot twice and hit the man in the chest, police add.

Officials have not yet identified the would-be robber or the clerk, but say the suspect died on the floor of the store.

Sources who have seen the surveillance tape of the incident tell KDKA’s Ross Guidotti that it appears to be a self-defense shooting.

From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review of August 15, 2007

DA clears clerk who killed Beechview robber

A gas station clerk acted in self-defense when he fatally shot a robber and will not be charged, Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. said today.

Walter Wetzel Jr., 58, of Mt. Washington, killed Raymond Crawford, 30, of Northview Heights, July 14, at the BP station on Saw Mill Run Boulevard in Beechview, police said.

Zappala said Crawford had already pulled a gun at two other businesses that night before he confronted Wetzel.

"He went right to the clerk and pointed a weapon at him," Zappala said.

Crawford demanded money, cigarettes and blunts, and when Wetzel bent down behind the counter to get some of the items, he came up with a gun and shot Crawford twice in the chest, Zappala said.

"The clerk was scared because the robber wanted more and more items and (the clerk) did not have access to the safe," Zappala said.

Zappala said the shooting was justified but generally speaking, he said he would prefer store clerks give robbers what they want, let them get out and call police.

"I would have preferred no one would have died," Zappala said.