From Florida, The Retirement State
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2008 3:03 pmJust after 11 p.m. two masked gunmen came into the Plantation, FL, Subway at 1949 N. Pine Rd. There was a lone diner -- 71-year-old John Lovell, who was finishing his meal. The thieves robbed the cashier, then turned their attention to Lovell.
When police arrived they found cash strewn about the front of the Subway shop, one of the robbers lying inside the shop and their K-9 unit located the other in the bushes next door. Both were rushed to the hospital where 22-year-old Donicio Arrindell of North Lauderdale died and 21-year-old Frederick Gadson of Fort Lauderdale remained in critical but stable condition.
A longtime friend of the 71-year-old wasn't surprised to hear what happened. "He'd give you the shirt off his back -- and he'd be mad if someone tried to take the shirt off your back."
Lovell had been a Marine pilot, flying former Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. After military retirement, he worked as a pilot for Pan Am and Delta. As soon as the thieves had his money in hand, Lovell pulled his handgun*, shooting both in the head and one in the chest.
He is not expected to be charged, Det. Robert Rettig of the Plantation P.D. said, "He was in fear for his life. These criminals ought to realize that most men in their 70's have military backgrounds and aren't intimidated by idiots."
* Florida law allows law-abiding (never crime-convicted) citizens to carry a concealed weapon.
When police arrived they found cash strewn about the front of the Subway shop, one of the robbers lying inside the shop and their K-9 unit located the other in the bushes next door. Both were rushed to the hospital where 22-year-old Donicio Arrindell of North Lauderdale died and 21-year-old Frederick Gadson of Fort Lauderdale remained in critical but stable condition.
A longtime friend of the 71-year-old wasn't surprised to hear what happened. "He'd give you the shirt off his back -- and he'd be mad if someone tried to take the shirt off your back."
Lovell had been a Marine pilot, flying former Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. After military retirement, he worked as a pilot for Pan Am and Delta. As soon as the thieves had his money in hand, Lovell pulled his handgun*, shooting both in the head and one in the chest.
He is not expected to be charged, Det. Robert Rettig of the Plantation P.D. said, "He was in fear for his life. These criminals ought to realize that most men in their 70's have military backgrounds and aren't intimidated by idiots."
* Florida law allows law-abiding (never crime-convicted) citizens to carry a concealed weapon.
8-)
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