Alabamas13.com WVTM-TV Birmingham, AL
‘You shoot at me, I’m shooting back’ — that appears to have been the mindset of the KFC employee in Birmingham, Alabama, who shot back at an armed robber and his accomplice Sunday night after the robber opened fire.
“He [the employee] wanted to flee for cover. So in the process of fleeing he was shot and after he was shot he grabbed his weapon and returned fire,” explained Lt. Sean Edwards of the Birmingham Police Department.
The employee sustained a gunshot wound to the leg, and is recovering at home. Meanwhile, the suspect, who turned up at a nearby hospital suffering from a stomach wound, is in critical condition. His accomplice is still on the loose.
Police said that given the circumstance, the employee was justified in shooting back at the robber.
“In this situation, this employee was able to defend himself in that particular moment,” Lt. Edwards said.
Investigators are still looking into the shooting and police have not ruled out charging the employee, though it appeared unlikely they would.
As it pertained to the incident, KFC released the following statement with no praise for the brave, gun-toting employee:
“The safety and security of KFC employees and guests is a top priority for both KFC Corporation and our franchisees. The franchise team is working with local law enforcement as this case is under active investigation.”
I hope the employee is OK. I’d say he was justified. The police think so too. Leave it to the ADA to even consider charges.