Columbus, Ohio



From Columbus‘ NBC4i of December 6, 2004

No Charges Filed Against Clerk Who Shot Suspected Robber



Man Charged With Robbery



The Franklin County Sheriff's Office announced Monday that the convenience store clerk who shot a suspected robber would not face charges.



The shooting unfolded at 7:30 a.m. Sunday inside a Sunoco gas station on Cleveland Avenue, NBC 4 reported.

Investigators said it was clear that the clerk, Karen Smith, feared for her life.



The alleged robbery and shooting were captured by the store's surveillance camera.



Detective Drew McEvoy told NBC 4's Holly Hollingsworth that the robbery suspect, Desmond Thompson, made the clerk believe he had a gun even though he didn't.



"You can see where (Thompson has) got his left hand in his pocket and he's banging on the counter, implying he's got a weapon," McEvoy said.



The second factor is easy to miss if you're not looking for it on the tape, Hollingsworth reported.



The clerk, Karen Smith, gave the robber cash. But instead of just leaving, Thompson motioned and demanded that she come out from behind the counter.



"If (Smith) wasn't in fear for her life before, with him implying a gun, she's definitely in fear for her life now," McEvoy said. "We have no idea what he's thinking."



Smith grabbed a gun from under the counter and fired once, hitting Thompson, 26, in the shoulder. She then called 911, Hollingsworth reported.



"He acted like he did (have a weapon)," Smith said. "I didn't hesitate."



"Potential robbers: The best advice I can give is don't rob a store where Mrs. Smith is working," McEvoy said.



Smith told Hollingsworth that she had never fired a gun before in her life.



Thompson was charged with one count of robbery.