Dayton, OH — A Dollar General clerk is resting at home today after he shot and killed an armed robber in the Dayton, Ohio store where he worked.
The police said that they did not arrest the clerk because he acted legally, and in self-defense.
The authorities received a call from the store at 2228 North Gettysburg around 6:20 pm.
Police provided a transcript of the 911 call:
“I just had somebody try to attempt and rob me over here at Dollar General on Gettysburg,” the 911 caller said. “Came in with a firearm, threatened to take money out the drawer, pointed a gun at me and my staff members. He pointed a gun at me, I had a firearm on me, I pulled my firearm and I shot him in self-defense.”
Police arrived to find Roosevelt Rappley, 23, deceased on the ground outside the front door of the store.
He died approximately 6:27, according to Montgomery County Coroner Kent Harshbarger.
Dayton Police Lt. Jason Hall said that the dead robber had a long history with police.
Rappley had pending weapons charges and was under investigation for allegedly being involved in other “commercial robberies” in the area. Hall reported that Rappley was the main suspect in a robber at a Dollar General on Main street that occurred recently.
Eyewitness accounts confirm the unidentified store clerk’s account.
They said that the Rappley entered the store brandishing a gun and demanded money from the employees.
Another employee, not working at the checkout registers, saw the man pointing his gun at employees.
He pulled out his own gun and shot the man, who then staggered outside and fell to the ground.
Police have not concluded their investigation, but are utilizing surveillance tape, eyewitness accounts, and more.
No Charges For Clerk
As for the clerk, Ohio law allows a person to carry on private property without a Concealed Carry permit.
For legal purposes, Dollar General is considered private property.
Lt. Hall said, “As far the as the employee at Dollar General, he was legally possessing a weapon.
He was on private property at his place of employment.”
Hall continued that the clerk isn’t facing any legal charges, though he might still be fired if carrying a gun is against Dollar General’s store policy.
When reached for comment, Dollar General didn’t want to say whether their employees can carry concealed or not.
But even if he loses his job at Dollar General, this guy is a hero.
He, his fellow employees and the other customers are all alive and well today because he made the right choice.
And Rappley’s life—and now death—will hopefully serve as a deterrent to other wanna-be thugs who think nobody will fight back.