Monday, November 20, 2006

Charlotte, North Carolina

From Charlotte’s WSOCtv,com of November 20, 2006
Delivery Driver's Shots Went Into Suspected Robber And Family's East Charlotte Home

What was supposed to be a simple pizza delivery left bullet holes in the east Charlotte home of mother Monique Thompson.

The holes were patched over early Monday, but that doesn't erase the memory of what happened Saturday night, when a Papa John's delivery man shot a teen he said was trying to rob him outside Thompson's home at an apartment complex on Lanecrest Drive.

"He was doing wild shooting; he needed to shoot who he was going to shoot," Thompson said.

According to police, William Keaton pulled into the parking lot looking for the address he was given and was ambushed by robbers. They said the whole thing was a setup.

Keaton, who does not have a concealed weapons permit, said he was just protecting himself.

Teddy Price of Teddy's Pizza also knows the danger of delivering pizza. He was robbed at gunpoint just a few weeks ago.

"Safety is a huge issue. Every time you walk out the door with one delivery or four deliveries," he said.

Despite that danger, Price says carrying a gun carries too much risk. He won't let his drivers work with weapons. That said, he believes there's justice in what happened Saturday.

But for Thompson, one man's attempt to protect his own life risked hers and her baby's.

"I know they have to protect themselves, but at the same time you have got to be careful around the people that are innocent," she said.

Papa John's representatives said the company is cooperating with police. A spokesperson said company policy prevents drivers from carrying any sort of weapons.

As for Keaton, the company said it has not made a decision on his future.

The teen Keaton shot is expected to recover.

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