Plantation, Florida

From Miami’s Local10.com of June 28, 2007

Police: Customer Shoots 2 Subway Robbery Suspects

Retired Marine Kills 1, Wounds Another, Police Say

A retired United States Marine disrupted a robbery in progress when he shot two men who attempted to rob a Subway sandwich shop, fatally wounding one of them, police said.

According to Plantation police, two armed men barged into the Subway at 1949 Pine Island Rd. shortly after 11 p.m. Wednesday, demanding money from the employee behind the counter. When they tried to force a customer into the bathroom, he pulled out a gun and shot both men, police said.

One man was shot in the head and later died at the hospital. The other ran from the Subway, but police found him in hiding in some bushes on the property of a nearby BankAtlantic.

A witness who was about to enter the Subway at the time said he thought the shootings were justified.

"I think justice, you know, was served and a civilian was a hero for today," Sebastian Shakespeare said.

Police said the customer, a retired Marine, wouldn't be charged.

More details from the June 29, 2007 South Florida Sun Sentinel:

Lovell, 71, of Plantation, has a valid concealed weapons permit and is not expected to be charged in the shooting, said police spokesman Detective Robert Rettig. Gadson, however, faces multiple felony charges that could include murder, he said. Under Florida law, anyone who commits a felony such as armed robbery resulting in a death can be held accountable for the capital offense.

Florida law gives people the right of "self-defense without the duty to retreat." That means individuals can use deadly force virtually anywhere to prevent death or serious injury.