New Video Shows Self-Defense Shootout That Got a Mich. Store Clerk Fired
- Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:05pm by
Buck Sexton
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Michigan Pharmacist Jeremy Hoven should have been held up as another example of a citizen putting his concealed carry permit to good use after he foiled a brazen armed robbery last May, but instead of a handshake, Hoven was given a pink slip.
Hoven’s employer– Walgreens– fired him after the incident, despite the fact that he was in fear for his life as a gunman tried to shoot him. No injuries or loss of property occurred.
Now Hoven is filing a wrongful termination lawsuit, and his lawyer has just released shocking surveillance video from the terrifying exchange. The footage appears to corroborate Hoven’s statements and is likely to play a prominent role in his suit against Walgreens.
Here’s a recap of the incident: While working the overnight shift at the Benton Harbor, Michigan, Walgreens, Hoven saw two men armed with pistols burst into the store.
One of the robbers held a gun to the head of a Walgreens employee, while the other masked robber jumped across the pharmacy counter, and tried three times to shoot Hoven, but his gun wouldn’t fire.
Hoven tried to call the police but at that point, he believed his only option was to return fire. He shot three rounds at his attackers. Hoven missed, but scared away the gunmen and ended the robbery without further incident.
“I feared for my life,” Hoven said, “and in self defense, I fired my weapon as I continued to move from him.”
Watch the pulse-pounding video below, courtesy of KUSA-TV.
While Hoven did the shooting, Walgreens did the firing. After the incident, they terminated the pharmacist’s employment. The mega-chain store released a statement that said:
“Store employees receive comprehensive training on how to react and respond to a potential robbery situation. Law enforcement strongly advises against confrontation of crime suspects.”
Many are outraged that Hoven has been punished for defending himself against a lethal threat. Hoven’s lawyer released a statement saying his client:
“Was exercising his reasonable right of self-defense in the face of a gunman who attempted to pull a trigger three times and shoot him.”
Hoven, his fellow employees, and the innocent customers in his store– all of whom went home safely that night– are probably much more thankful than Walgreens that one man decided to defend himself rather than surrender his life.
Hoven’s lawsuit is pending, but there is more on the line than money or career. Hoven has gone to court in defense of every individual’s right to defend themselves.
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Comments (389)
TheOracleOfTruth
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:28pmUmmm, yeah, let law enforcement be everywhere to stop all the crime LOL, where were they in this crime? The facts they state – you cannot defend yourself, is hogwash! Wrongful termination IMO!!
Law enforcement investigates crimes, after the fact, most of the time! Defend yourself and loved ones, hold dear your right to self-defence and the means to do it!
Report Post »SavingtheRepublic.com
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 1:38pm~^~v~~^~~v~^~
Report Post »Dead on Oracle! Police are there to write reports, mark evidence and the body. We have a god given right to defend ourselves regardless of where it is. Walgreens policy to just let it happen is absurd. How many times have we read about some loons walking into a place to rob it, who then just start killing innocent people?! What would be the Walgreens policy then? Uhh well we disarmed our employees so they got killed following the rules…. so um sorry to the families now destroyed…” I gotta say I dont think I could patron their stores knowing this policy. http://SavingtheRepublic.com
Cherynn
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 2:03pmI would rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6.
Report Post »yougottabekidding
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 2:13pmIf there is no written rule against carrying (I do not see one in their policy) then what is the problem? Especially after the perp attempted to fire. I know one thing I’ll not use Wagreens anymore.
Report Post »I carry at work, if you don‘t want to hear the answer don’t ask the question. 21 million illegals our neighborhoods have quickly become cesspools.
Servant Of YHVH
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 2:16pmYep, definitely wrongful termination. I sure ain’t going to no Walgreens soon if ever. I‘m guessing that maybe Walgreens has in their employment training that to let the criminals kill them just as long as they don’t hurt their customers. They probably figure that it is better to replace employees than to hurt the crooks. I don’t care what anyone says, if someone is shooting (or trying to) shoot me, they better hope that they have better aim than I do. The only thing that I see wrong with what he did was that apparently he hasn’t practiced enough on his aim. Worst case senario, there should have been only one crook fleeing the store. Best case scenario, NO crooks fleeing the store except in body bags.
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 2:24pmWhen seconds count…the police are minuts away!!
Report Post »squeaker
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 2:49pm@teamarcheson — “”"This white guy knows this and should have allowed the black man to shoot him dead. Walmart did the right thing.”"”
?…………WALMART……..?
Report Post »JRook
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 3:19pmWhat’s not clear is if the pharmacist had pulled his gun which might explain the escalation and shooting by the intruder. Probably violated a company policy by bringing the gun into the workplace also. Beyond that though he should have the right to defend himself. But I‘m pretty sure most employers don’t allow guns into the workplace, regardless of whether the employee has a carry permit or not.
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 3:30pmPolice officers can’t prevent crime. They can only write a report and chase down the criminals after you’re dead. I say stick it to Walgreens.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 3:42pmExactly .. they act like you are supposed to stand there and let the THUGS kills you! H no .. I would rather be alive and facing job loss than DEAD! But he should not have lost his job .. they should have given him an award!
TEA!
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 3:59pm@jrook – don’t say things like “MOST EMPLOYERS” unless you have taken a survey OF ALL EMPLOYERS, and can show that 50% +1 are, in fact, enforcing such a policy.
Otherwise, it is pure conjecture on your part, and disingenuous, at best, and deceptive or out-and-out lies at worst.
Report Post ».
Danang1972
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 4:12pmGot this in an email they other day!
Shooting Advice:
Cops carry guns to protect themselves, not to protect you!!!
Never let someone that threatens you get inside arm’s length and never say “I’ve got a gun”.
If you feel you need to use deadly force for heaven’s sake let the first sound they hear be the safety clicking off, and they shouldn’t have time to hear anything after that if you are doing your job.
“The most important rule in a gunfight is: Always win – and cheat if necessary.”
“Don’t forget, incoming fire has the right of way.”
“Make your attacker advance through a wall of bullets. You may get killed with your own gun, but he’ll have to beat you to death with it, cause it’s going to be empty.”
“If you‘re not shooting’, you should be loading’. If you‘re not loading’, you should be moving’, if you‘re not moving’, someone’s going to cut your head off and put it on a stick.”
“Do something. It may be wrong, but do something.”
“Shoot what’s available, as long as it’s available, until something else becomes available.”
“Don’t shoot fast, unless you also shoot good.”
“You can say ‘stop’ or ‘alto’ or use any other word you think will work, but I‘ve found that a large bore muzzle pointed at someone’s head is pretty much the universal language.”
“You have the rest of your life to solve your problems. How long you live depends on how well you do it.”
“You cannot save the planet, but you may b
Report Post »obamanation
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 4:25pm“Store employees receive comprehensive training on how to react and respond to a potential robbery situation. Law enforcement strongly advises against confrontation of crime suspects.”
First of all, it wasn’t “potential,” it was definite. And second of all he wasn’t in the act of “confronting crime suspects” The crime suspects were confronting him.
Silly Walgreens!
“Law enforcement strongly advises against confrontation of crime suspects.” …Well duh!
Report Post »chicago76
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 4:31pmBetter home in bed than dead.
Report Post »Sheepdog911
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 6:30pmDear Walgreen’s, this life-long customer is moving over to CVS. Bye.
Report Post »TXMD
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 6:36pmJust what we need to make all of the “bad guys” stand up, take notice, and lead peaceful life: “Peaceful, non-involvement in the face of life threatening threats/invasions. The old addage, of ‘whens seconds count, 911 reponse is minutes away.” Had the young man not fired he would have been dead – as would – most likely – everyone else in the store. Wallgreens ought to revise their response to this young man or sales in Texas are likely to come to a screaming halt. The only bad news in this notice is that the young man missed. Had he connected (at least in Texas) he would have saved everyone a lot of rehabilitation, psychological counseling, and other state money to enable the two turds to suck at the hind nipple of the citizens.
Report Post »arvadadan
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 7:56pmWhen seconds count the police are only minutes away….
Report Post »rangerp
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 7:57pmHOVEN, HOVEN, HOVEN, what in the heck is wrong with you son. You need to extract your head from your butt, and get a grip on reality. Did you happen to notice this morning, when you looked in the mirror that you are white?
Did you notice the ethnicity of the get jiggy crowd that did the robbing? Do you not listen to rap music? did not not attend the multicultural public schools? Do you not watch Oprah? Have you not viewed MTV. As our current president would say, “you acted foolishly”.
While we are schooling you, pull out your drivers liscence, and take not of the state in which you live. Did you not realize your are in Michigan. Your state voted for Obama, is a mecca for unions, and is also a mecca for muslims (that is almost funny).
Next time Pookey and Tyrone, bust into your store, you stand there like a limp wristed, no backbone little slug, and give up the money (they deserve it), and if they shoot you, well, just figure you deserve it for your lilly white butt being in the way.
Pssssst, you might want to think about my line of work. Run down to the local recruiter and tell him you want an airborne ranger contract. Look me up when you get to Fort Benning,. You and I might do a little shooting on the side. With a little more concentration on that front site post, Tyrone might not be with us any more (that is a good thing), and I would be glad to take you our for a good plate of southern BBQ
Report Post »chazman
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 7:59pmWalgreens, huh? I don’t like Politically Correct Walgreens anymore.
I shoot murderer’s, rapist’s and thieves, in that order. This guy will be OK. Hell, I would have done the same thing without thinking twice about it. Then I would have punched my boss in the mouth on my way out the door!
Report Post »ying
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 9:34pmWhy are people still shopping at Walgreens? Stop it!
Report Post »NeoFan
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 10:00pmI contacted Walgreens about this incident and was told by the managment that they feel their customers are safer when the criminals are the ones with the guns and the staff and customers are unarmed and at the will of the robbers. Not exactly in those words but the meaning was essentialy the same.
Report Post »We transfered our business to a more sane and less pro-criminal company.
loadingmyclips
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 10:08pmbetter to be judged by twelve rather than carried by six!!
Report Post »MHP
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 11:36pmJRook
Our state law overrides Walgreens or any other store. We have the right to shoot the bastards on site, that’s why we have very low crime here.
We haven’t had a murder here in 30 years.
Most of our towns have NEVER had a murder.
Guns keep us safe, and we’ll use them to protect us.
9/11 is secondary to gun protection, and you can’t sue us either even if you get shot for doing a robbery.
I’m quoting our state law.
STAND YOUR GROUND HERE
Report Post »Liberals best stay out.
markdido
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 11:37pm“JRook
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 3:19pm
What’s not clear is if the pharmacist had pulled his gun which might explain the escalation and shooting by the intruder. Probably violated a company policy by bringing the gun into the workplace also. Beyond that though he should have the right to defend himself. But I‘m pretty sure most employers don’t allow guns into the workplace, regardless of whether the employee has a carry permit or not.”
That sort of sheep-like attitude is why 19 hijackers armed withnothing more than boxcutters killed 3000 people on 9/11.
Report Post »MHP
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 11:59pmJrook
Correction 9 11
Report Post »Puppy
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 1:16amHey, Jrook, a guy bust into your store while brandishing a weapon…this guy is at fault for escalating? Are you nuts!
Report Post »chazman
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 5:44am… an armed society is a polite society …
Report Post »RabidPatriot
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 1:39pmMost chain stores do not allow their employees to carry firearms at work. If you have a dangerous job you secretly carry anyway for the purpose of saving your own life. The risk is, you save your life and you lose your job. I’ll take that trade everyday. Get another job.
Report Post »shy
Posted on September 15, 2011 at 12:03amI wouldn’t have sued for my job back. I would have sued walgreens for at least 10 million having an unsafe work environment and for not having a armed grad at the front door ( espeally when the store has been robed at gun point before).
Report Post »mikec711
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 11:11pmI carry a fire-arm because it is much lighter than carrying a policeman.
Report Post »Tickdog
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:28pmboycott that stupid store..
Report Post »Bum thrower
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:33pmThey won’t see my ass in one anytime soon! That’s for sure……..BOYCOTT!!!
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:55pmThe monday morning clean up the crime scene police advice against people defending themselves.
Report Post »WTF the didn’t swear to up hold the Constitution that actual guarantees citizens the right to self defense.
Mannie
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 1:08pmThey’re no different than 99.9999% of stores in the US. They’re afraid of liability. The lives of staff and customers are worth less than the risk of lawsuit.
Report Post »westfayetteville
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 1:30pmI’m not shoping at walgreens any more either
Report Post »thegreatcarnac
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 1:30pmMaybe all of the walgreens….wake them up…..people have a right to live and do what they can to stay living…even if they are white.
Report Post »Ookspay
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 1:33pmNo need to boycott, not too many people with jobs living in that neighborhood.
Report Post »creativeogre
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 2:24pmNot only time to boycott the store, but time to get other “Big box” stores to publicly state their policies on employees carrying, The follow up with a boycott of them as well. Send a clear message that Americans are not going to become sheeple, and that if they, as a company want to cater to the left.. they will not see any business from those who wish to keep America strong
Report Post »Pastor Ray
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 3:22pmWhat do you expect from an Obummer State!!!
Report Post »TH30PH1LUS
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 4:12pmWALGREENS POLICY:
IF confronted by a drug-addict armed criminal, who draws his/her weapon upon you at point blank range and drops the hammer – you are to calmly pick up the phone and dial 9.1.1. and wait for further instructions. Our Legal Department would rather write your family a letter of condolence, and send flowers to your funeral, OR terminate your employment – than have you free to exercise your right to defend your life.
Sincerely, Team Walgreens.
Report Post »Captain Dave
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 4:49pmSend Walgreens an email expressing your outrage:
http://www.walgreens.com/topic/marketing/contactus/default1.jsp?foot=contact_us
Tell them you will shop elsewhere.
Report Post »Evil_Conservative
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 4:51pmThe company makes a habit of setting up shop in “the hood” anyway. Wouldnt hurt my feelings to see them acquired by CVS for dirt cheap.
Report Post »donaldchar
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 2:02amSomebody tell us which pharm has a different policy…
Report Post »I know Wal-mart has taken a wimpy pro-criminal stance. An employee gave me the specifics.
nhammell
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:27pmMy questions would be what is the compnays policy on wepons at work and what do they train employees to do in the event of an armed robery? I worked for a tobacco and convience store when I was in college and they had a policy that you were not supposed to bring any weapons on the premesis when working. We were trained that in the event of a robbery that we were to coopeerate in every way with the robber and give them anything they asked for and to call atthorities after they left. This was entirely for our safety as employees. If wallgreens policy are the same or simulor to this hten they were in the right. If they did not do what they did then they would run the risk of having empolyees across the nation start bring loaded weapons ot work which could very easily end up with one of them getting shot in a simular situation.
Report Post »randy
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:31pmDon’t see a problem with every law abiding citizen packing a weapon at work.
Report Post »An armed society is a polite society
ArtShark
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:35pmCommon sense trumps policy.
Report Post »IAMMADDOG
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:37pmSo you are saying that I should stand there and take it if they start trying to shoot me? The self defense argument is so damn stupid. Maybe we should ALL get secret service agents to accompany us everywhere we go if we are not allowed to try stopping our own murders.
Report Post »chfields62
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:38pmHow many clerks following that policy are in a grave now?? This guy not only saved his life, but his fellow employees life as well.
Report Post »AlansTigg
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:50pmI’m armed at work every day
Report Post »Oldphoto678
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:55pm@ RANDY
The idea that everyone will play nice if we all carry a weapon is not borne out by history. The old west was real peaceful. I once owned a bar in a open carry state, but the only person allowed to have a weapon in my bar was me. In other words, I don’t care about your right to carry or your right to defend yourself. On my property, I’ll tell you what your rights are.
Report Post »The Scarecrow
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:56pmWhy would anybody think that any companys policy in this situation was the best policy? Sounds like to me that that policy will get employees killed. Easier to carry a gun around all the time than a cop.
Report Post »OniKaze
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 1:04pmAn armed society is a polite society? Maybe, maybe not… I am a big fan of guns and gun rights, however, I am a realist… If everyone in society was armed EVENTUALLY everyone would be polite, but there would be a grace period of all the MORONS learning this lesson the hard way (and good riddance)
While I don’t agree with the wording of this statement, I do believe in its ideals… Only an idiot would start something with someone they know is armed… But as every democrat voter proves (and anyone else who voted for the Fuhrer) this country is FULL of idiots…
This could throw a little Chlorine into the gene pool….
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 1:11pmActually, oldphoto, the old west WAS very peaceful. The incidents of violence were so uncommon that we know them by name.
You don’t dictate rights. I accept your conditions to not exercise my rights if I enter your property, but you don’t dictate my rights, as I have a choice I can make. For example, I have a right to life, I do not forfeit that if I walk into your bar and you’re feeling ornery and want to kill me.
Learn where rights come from, and learn history.
Report Post »Oldphoto678
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 2:10pm@GhostOfJefferson
Report Post »Ok, let me put it another way…On my property, I‘ll dictate what rights you’re free to exercise.
GhostOfJefferson
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 2:20pmOld Photo
Actually, you’ll offer terms for allowing me on your property. There is no dictation, I have a choice to accept the terms or not.
It may seem like splitting hairs to you, but it is not. Words have meaning, and there’s not a dictator alive or dead who gave people a choice. You offer terms, I judge whether I accept them or not. That’s how it works.
I do believe strongly in property rights, so in essence I’m on your side, but I like being precise. And ultimately there are still some things you cannot dictate, like I said if I’m in your bar peacefully drinking and being decent you have no right to pull out your gun and kill me. Sorry, it doesn’t work that way.
Report Post »IAMAnonymous
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 2:29pm@Oldphoto678
Sir, you will NOT tell me what my rights are. My rights do not come from you, anyone else or the Government. My right to defend myself is sovereign.
Report Post »FedupwithDems
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 3:11pm@OLDPHOTO678
Your attitude shares a lot with a steaming pile of Horse Manure.
Report Post »And you can take it and put it where the sun doesn’t shine.
So what you are saying is that you would rather let an employee die unable to defend themselves than modify your sanctimonious position on being the only one in your former establishment to carry
and defend themselves.
And in actuallity you have no right to dictate beyond the right to deny me or others permission to enter your property…past that you have ZIP..NADA…ZILCH
IDrive4Fun
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 4:05pmYeah, complyance worked so well 10 years ago Sunday. The people did exactly what the hijackers told them to do, and the planes rammed three buildings. I’d rather stand up for myself, thanks.
Report Post »kcowboy28
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 4:10pmThere seems to be a few people who think that this employee should be fired. Most of the arguments have been that the store has a policy to tell the employees to just do what the robber says and everything will be alright.
Report Post »Now lets step into reality for a minute a talk about the fact that the robber jumped across the counter and attempted to shoot the employee. What if you were that employee? How does that policy help you? Where are the cops? If a store puts a policy like that into effect, then they should provide the protection for an employee. Obviously they did not.
Some people have also said that it would be dangerous to give every employee a sidearm. Again, back to reality, do you honestly think those robbers…or any for that matter, will be robbing that store any time soon? They know the employees there are armed and will choose to rob another store.
Look at Switzerland and how many people have guns there. They have TONS!! Did you know that Switzerland also has one of the lowest…if not THE lowest gun crime rates in the world. Go figure. On the flipside look at Mexico where it is illegal to own a gun. Gun crimes are through the roof.
This story is a perfect example of a honest and trustworthy American who protected the lives of himself and his co-worker. This man is a Hero!
Tom K
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 4:39pm@NHAMMELL What IF most of the retail outlets had armed employees ? What IF those employees got paid to sharpen their shooting skills at the range on company time ? What IF the National Retail Association set a standard for stores that had well trained employees that could take out robbers with two to the chest and one to the head ? What IF insurance companies recognized the value of this great loss prevention program and awarded the store with a very visible “ seal of approval” on the front doors and windows of the store to welcome customers and warn robbers ? What IF Walgreens was the first store in the nation to win and display this “ seal of approval ” ? What IF you needed a product from a large chain drug store at 2 a.m.? What IF you THEN thought that Walgreens was THE place to purchase those items because it was safer to shop there ?
Report Post »What IF I just went on and on ?
American Soldier (Separated)
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 5:39pmSo him having a gun, causing the robbers to flea, put his life in jeopardy? What if the gunman actually cleaned his weapon once in a while, would the policy of no guns at work save this mans life? The gunman jumped over the counter and started shooting, how would cooperating save his life? I say shoot back. Now the criminals know that Walgreen fired the one employee with a gun. What’s to stop them from trying again and succeeding? Of killing someone next time? Had they kept the employee, the criminals will more likely thing “Why risk my life to try to hit that pharmacy, i’ll go over to CVS”
Report Post »copatriots
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 5:43pmMy father-in-law loves to laugh how road rage ceased in Dallas when Texas passed it’s open carry law. He said right after the law passed everyone drove responsibly, no one cut another driver off, they wouldn’t even look at another person driving next to them in traffic.
Report Post »Cynic-clinic
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 6:27pmA retail store need only post a sign outside saying, “ROBBERS ARE ADVISED THAT SOME STORE PERSONNEL MAY BE ARMED”. 99% of the ambitious robbers won’t try it–the rest will be dead. No store liability since advance warning was given. No crook to testify since he’ll be dead too. Problem solved.
Report Post »cassandra
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 7:06pmif those guys had a base ball bat or club I say cooperate give them what ever they want, if they have a gun you could have 1 second to live, those guys meant to kill to get what they wanted, thats why they had gun’s I for one would rather shop in a drug store at night KNOWING that there is someone in that store that can protect me from people like this, and if it was posted in the door that they have armed employee’s how many people would go there to rob that store?
Report Post »markdido
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 11:42pmHey NHAMMELL,
Are you blind, or did you miss the part in the video where the bad guy tried to fire his weapon THREE TIMES at the pharmacist. Kind of hard to give the bad guy what he wants while listening to “click, click, click” Idiot!
Report Post »mule creek ridge
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:27pmUp til now I have used Walgreens.If they do not reverse this very foolish firing,I will let them know that I think they are completely wrong,and tell them I will not use Walgreens anymore.
Report Post »I will also witness against them ,verbally and in script,every chance I get ,unless they reverse this perversion of what is RIGHT.
The best of wishes to you,Mr.Hoven.
mrbuff1959
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 4:16pmIm, with you all the way.
Report Post »Tom K
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 10:37am@ MULE CREEK RIDGE: Walgreens is only one of thousands of companies that would fire an employee for violating their “ no guns for employees ” policy. If your state does not allow you to concealed or open carry a firearm, join efforts to change your laws. I will continue to shop at Walgreens with my well maintained, concealed, semi-automatic, large caliber firearm. Also, we all can work to change retailers’ policies on armed employees.
Report Post »ToddinVB
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:25pmMaybe Walgreen‘s is with concerned with the potential spread of disease through a blood born pathogen that might result from a bullet piercing the criminal’s bodies while within the confines of the store, thereby making liable to suit from effected patrons.
Report Post »IntheKnowOG
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:25pmHe missed!!!!!!!! You have to go to the range every once in a while dude!
Report Post »Lars Skipole
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:35pmMaybe that’s why they fired him… he missed.
When in doubt, emtpy the magazine!
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:44pmHe was trying to multi-task. He had a phone in the other hand. Also, he might be a righty and fired the gun with his left hand.
Report Post »urrybr
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:53pmHe was shooting left-handed. He’s right-handed.
Report Post »BREWUP58
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:55pmI assume he’s right handed, so he was firing left handed. I always fire a couple mags left handed ( I am right handed ) when I shoot. This is a good reason why I do that. Hopefully I won’t have to be put into that situation.
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 1:39pmTactical combat shooting is no easy thing. I’ve spent countless years practicing it at the range and in the military, but when your adrenaline starts pumping and some thug just pulled a trigger three times in your direction, your lizard brain takes over. Things like precise target acquisition and aiming down the sights with the target over the front post go out the window.
I have a CHL and am very proud of my right and ability to carry a weapon for self defense as an American. Walgreens doesn’t have a no-guns policy for customers (that I’m aware of, they don’t post around my neck of the woods if they do). The clerk acted correctly in a practical sense (better twelve than six, right?), but against employee policy. The company does have the right to fire him, but I do wonder at the wisdom of installing a policy that ensures that your employees are guaranteed victims for any random criminal thug.
Report Post »fatjack
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 2:00pmHad Walgreens had a sign that read ARMED EMPLOYEES those thugs would have never entered the store.
Walgreen has lost a customer, no protection.
Report Post »John-Mary
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:24pmContact them -
Report Post »http://news.walgreens.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=4939
zman61
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 1:38pmI contacted them and let them know I would take my business elsewhere.
This is a complaint not about a visit to your store although I do regularly visit your store________, SC. I was just watching the news and saw the story about one of your pharmacy workers in Michigan that Walgreens intends to fire for trying to defend his life during the course of an armed robbery. Having seen the video it appears that the man is lucky to be alive as the robber had pointed his gun directly at the pharmacy worker, Mr. Jeremy Hoven, who did not yet have his gun pulled. He only pulled his weapon after robber tried to pull the trigger and shoot Mr. Jeremy Hoven at point blank range. For Walgreens to fire a man for defending his life is abhorrant to me. I am a concealed carry permitted person myself and I can not imagine being fried for protecting myself from being murdered. If Walgreens continues along this path I know I will take my business elsewhere. I know that I will not be the only one to do so as the gun rights community is a powerful force in this country. I hope you will reconsider your ill though out direction in this case.
Report Post »Evil_Conservative
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 4:49pmI worked for them for a short time several years ago. I know that they have a “zero tolerance” policy for employees having guns at the store. A bit harsh, but it is an old policy and the hero here is going to lose vs his employer, unless the company settles to just to avoid the bad press. This dude should just move on. That job sucks bad anyway. Write a book and get rich or something.
Report Post »TH30PH1LUS
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 11:34amI did. This was the response:
Thank you for contacting Walgreens regarding this matter. Our policies in this area are designed to maintain the maximum safety of our customers and employees. Store employees receive comprehensive training on our company’s robbery procedures and how to react and respond to a potential robbery situation. In past incidents, employees have told us they’ve found this training effective. These policies and training programs are endorsed by law enforcement, which strongly advises against confrontation of crime suspects. Compliance is safer than confrontation. For more than 100 years and across now more than 7,700 stores, this has resulted in an exemplary record of safety. We’ve made significant investments in security technology in recent years, including increasing the number of digital surveillance cameras at our stores. With upgrades to security technology, we are able to provide police with high-resolution photographs and video of crime suspects. We continue to invest in state-of-the-art security measures and high-definition surveillance equipment and hope that the apprehension of robbery suspects in the Benton Harbor area will prevent future crimes. Thank you for contacting Walgreens to share your comments.
Report Post »TH30PH1LUS
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 11:41amMy follow-up:
thank you for your response. I will refer only to these two sentences from your letter: “Compliance is safer than confrontation. For more than 100 years and across now more than 7,700 stores, this has resulted in an exemplary record of safety.”
1. Since the criminal was attempting to murder your empoyee, how would you recommend your employee “comply”?
2. Just because a policy has worked for 100 years, does that mean Walgreens leadership is blind to social changes in America? Is it your desire to “be effective”, or to “not rock the boat”?
Thanks for your attention to these questions!
Report Post »Whiskey One Seven
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:21pmThe guy tried to KILL him! What part of that doesn’t warrant a return of deadly force??????? He’s a hero. Thank God he’s alive.
Report Post »Darla_K
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 3:18pmBottom line, someone tries to take your life out you better shoot asap and put him down.
Report Post »Perspective
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:21pmThank God Jeremy Hoven was armed and trained to use his pistol. At the very least his life was saved and most likely the other clerks and customers lives also. Walgreens should give this man a raise!
Report Post »How many more times did the robber have to pull the trigger before Walgreens felt his life was in danger. This firing is a great example of no common sense anymore. We have your back Jeremy, take Walgreens to the cleaners and go work at another pharmacy.
BIGJAYINPA
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:35pmHe wasn’t very well trained. HE MISSED THREE TIMES!!!…….Just sayin’
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 1:51pmFalse Jay. You can train for decades, but the first time you encounter a real life shootout a lot of fine motor skills vanish (this, actually, is a well known precept of tactical combat shooting). It’s why kids drilled in the military for months still fumble the first time on the battlefield, or why there is something we call ‘buck fever’ in the midwest (maybe other places?) where you can practice and practice and practice but the first deer you sight in on you either miss or you cycle your bolt on your gun 5 times without once pulling the trigger, etc.
It happens. I won’t fault him for missing, at least the thug fled and in the end that probably save this clerk a lifetime of nightmares from having taken a human life. It’s a win win.
Report Post »MyzPhoenyx
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 5:10pmBigjay
Report Post »Most people don’t have combat training. You can shoot all day long at a target… but unless that target has a gun pointing back at you, you never know what you’re response will be on the day that someone sticks a revolver in your face. It looks more like a howitzer. And someone else was talking about your “lizard brain” (fight or flight) response kicking in. ( I haven’t heard lizard brain since my junior high school biology class.. lol.) All of this means that your perceptions are altered by the events. His fine motor control was shot, because of the adrenaline coursing through him. He could have thought that he was aiming dead on. These things are normally over in seconds.. not minutes. Its a very surreal feeling.
I won’t give the guy a hard time about missing the target, because he’s not normally subjected to a combat situation.
John-Mary
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:21pmWalgreens biggest competitor RiteAid should hire this guy today!
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:40pmOr CVS
Report Post »jnobfan
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:21pmA little common sense here please. Walgreens should know that if their policy results in another employee being injured or killed by an attacker while on the job defenseless they should exspect to be sued bigtime for that policy decision. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ is what this is all about not safety.
Report Post »OpenCarry
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:20pmdo business all the time with Walgreens but no more … schmuks — they did not respond to security issues that employees had — but not allow them to protect themselves — managers that make those decisions do not need to be managers.
Report Post »kindling
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:20pmThis man is an AMERICAN Hero and I will never shop at Walgreeens again. I am tired of Political Correctness and that is why he was fired. Walgreeens could care less about its employees it is all about how they look.
Report Post »South Philly Boy
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:19pmHe is a HERO
Report Post »Ari Ben TZion
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:18pmWe live in a society where villains are heroes and good men and women are villains.
If one takes a look at a Rap video, one immediately notices this idea reinforced.
70% of African America kids growing up in a home where the father is AWOL. The result: 21st century ghetto America.
Report Post »fcbs46
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:57pmYes and ghetto kids can get pell grants to go to college and when you talk to them (as I have) they tell you it wouldn’t do any good because they believe that whitie has all the marbles.The ones that do finally make the move change their history from that day on and become real men and women. They have the family unit and work productively, normally for the rest of their life and send their children to college and teach them life skills.
Cosby told blacks “talk like a ****** and you will be one”.
Report Post »ToddinVB
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:17pmIndeed. If you cannot defend yourself, then who will. Are we to be at the mercy of the criminals? Self defense is just that. It’s not a right to pursue, but a right to protect. That’s what any reasonable and prudent person would do in a case such as this.
Report Post »ConservativewithKids25
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:16pmAlmost murdered by a worthless thug, defends himself, saves his employer $ and looses his job…somethings wrong here. He should be praised, and not have to be defending himself for his job. I would give the guy a raise. Come on Walgreens.
Report Post »francesp44
Posted on September 15, 2011 at 10:06pmI am a pharmacist and have been held up at gun point three times and places I have worked have been held up five times while I worked there. Lately, shortages of illicit drugs through stricter law enforcement have meant more robberies. I can honestly say that on each occasion I wish I had a gun.There is nothing more infuriating or desperate than being victimized without a chance to fight back. There is no one there to help you but yourself. Hats off to this pharmacist. If it were publicly known that all pharmacists were armed, the robberies would drop dramatically. Just look at the masacre in New York a while back.
Report Post »John Sloan RPh
atechgeek
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:16pmThose clowns will think twice before trying this again and Walgreens should be sued for firing a man who clearly acted in self defense. The fact that he bought the gun and got the concealed permit was the beginning of his self defense and this just saved his life for sure. Why did the gunman’s weapon not fire ? … hmmmm .. ask God.
Report Post »AlcoholicMB
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:15pmI’m getting tired of seeing these kinds of stories every day. It’s almost as if Walgreens would have rather their employee been killed than, GOD FORBID, defend his life and the lives of other employees and customers. When are these companies going to learn from this crap and actually ENCOURAGE permitted concealed weapons?
Report Post »oriondma05
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:14pmBusinesses should just close and move out of Detroit to send a loud message to Washington of the failures of Liberal policies. Or just do business through one of those bank teller windows.
Report Post »BernieKittyCat
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:30pmDetroit sucks, to be sure. Benton Harbor is a cesspool of criminal activity on the other side of the state.
Report Post »I just received a letter from Walgreen’s yesterday stating that they would no longer accept my insurance for prescriptions. My insurance is through FedEx! Sounds to me like they don’t really care who does business with them anymore. I’m glad they made it easy for me to no longer support their business, on two counts!
randy
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:13pmJust sent Walgreeens an email telling them if I do not hear they rehired this hero, I will never spend another nickel in their stores
Report Post »atechgeek
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:17pmI will do the same !!
Report Post »libertytreecaretaker
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:18pmI am on board I will not spend a single cent!
Report Post »IAMMADDOG
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:42pmWanted: Workers who are not afraid to die for Walgreens.
rox
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:13pmI‘ve been wondering why this hasn’t happened before now. We still have the right to protect ourselves in this country and this will start happening more and more.
Report Post »AlcoholicMB
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:23pmIt has, if you recall the story of the man with the back brace who killed one of two armed robbers in that… I want to say it was a pharmacy…. Anyway, I haven’t heard anything recently but they were trying to prosecute the employee for either murder or manslaughter.
Report Post »WhatsYerProblem
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:37pmIf you are thinking of the one in Oklahoma, the reason why the clerk was convicted of murder was that he shot one of the robbers in the belly first. Then, he calmly walked over to his motionless body on the floor and shot him several more times.
You may have been thinking of a different case, though.
Report Post »lobo91
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:39pmAlcoholicMB: If you’re referring to Okalhoma pharmacist Jerome Ersland, he was not only charged with murder in that case, but convicted and sentenced to life in prison. As a certified firearms instructor, I use his case in my classes as an example of what not to do in a self defense situation, BTW. He was absolutely unjustified in firing the additional shots, which is what got him in trouble. And it’s all on videotape, so there’s no question about it.
Report Post »WhatsYerProblem
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:11pmPretty soon the would-be robbers will come out and sue Walgreens because they suffered mental stress from being shot at during their robbery attempt…
Report Post »AlansTigg
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:11pmLaw enforcement strongly advises against confrontation of crime suspects.”
yes please sit there quietly and await your turn to be shot
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 2:04pmFunny but they themselves seem to carry firearms. Now if the way to handle a situation like this is to not resist then why do they have guns?
Ignore “police say” advice, I say, it’s all legalese from their legal department. On the street cops normally are very supportive of CCW and those who carry as private citizens.
Report Post »travlman77
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:11pmNot only should he get his job back Walgreens should thank him with a reward.
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