Former Marine thwarts Subway robbery, kills 1

[Vulture6]

Former Marine thwarts Subway robbery, kills 1

By Michael Hoffman - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Jul 3, 2007 5:37:41 EDT


A 71-year-old former “Marine One” helicopter pilot broke up an armed robbery at a Plantation, Fla., Subway restaurant last week, killing one alleged robber and hospitalizing another.

While John Lovell was finishing up his sandwich around 11:15 p.m. last Wednesday, two masked men armed with guns barged into the restaurant, according to a statement from the Plantation police. After taking money from the register, the two men turned to Lovell and demanded his wallet, police said.

As the two tried to force Lovell into the ladies’ room where he thought he would be killed, the former Marine reached behind his back and fired his .45-caliber handgun seven times at the two men, according to the police statement.

Donicio Arrendell, 22, of North Lauderdale, was fatally shot in the head and chest. Frederick Gadson, 21, of Fort Lauderdale, ran from the store after he was shot in the chest, according to the police statement. A police canine unit found him hiding next to a nearby bank. He was sent to Broward General Hospital and was listed in stable condition.

“It’s tragic and I feel sorry for them,” said Lovell’s attorney and longtime friend Wesley White. Lovell did not return calls to his home Monday afternoon. “He did it to protect himself and the guy behind the Subway counter.”

Police will not charge Lovell. He owned a concealed weapons permit to carry the gun he used that night, White said.

“Lovell doesn’t want to talk about the incident right now because he is afraid the family members of the two men will come after him,” he said.

Gadson was charged with felony murder and armed robbery. According to Florida law, a person charged with a felony, such as armed robbery, resulting in death can also be charged with murder.

Lovell served with Marine Helicopter Squadron 1 — which transports the president, vice president and cabinet members — while John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson were in office, White said. After getting out of the Marine Corps as a major, Lovell flew with Pan-America and Delta, he said.

“Based on his Marine Corps training he was ready for that night,” White said.

An official at the squadron said he could not confirm whether Lovell was a pilot there, since they do not track former pilots.

[ClutterbusterNY]

It's true that there is no such thing as an "Ex-Marine"...
Just last week a 72-year old former Marine beat a 27-year old pick pocket to
a pulp...here's the story:

Ex-Marine teaches pickpocket a lesson - Yahoo! News






Ex-Marine teaches pickpocket a lesson

Tue Jun 26, 6:47 PM ET


GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Bill Barnes says he was scratching off a losing $2 lottery ticket inside a gas station when he felt a hand slip into his front-left pants pocket, where he had $300 in cash.

He immediately grabbed the person's wrist with his left hand and started throwing punches with his right, landing six or seven blows before a store manager intervened.
"I guess he thought I was an easy mark," Barnes, 72, told The Grand Rapids Press for a story Tuesday.
He's anything but an easy mark: Barnes served in the Marines, was an accomplished Golden Gloves boxer and retired after 20 years as an iron worker.
Jesse Daniel Rae, the 27-year-old Newaygo County man accused of trying to pick Barnes' pocket, was arraigned Monday in Rockford District Court on one count of unarmed robbery, a 15-year felony.
Barnes said he had just withdrawn the money from a bank machine and put it in the pocket of his shorts before driving to the Marathon service station and Next Door Food Store in Comstock park, a Grand Rapids suburb.
He remembers noticing a patron acting suspiciously, asking the price of different brands of cigarettes and other items. While turned away, Barnes felt the hand in his pocket, so he took action.
"I guess I acted on instinct," he said.
Kent County sheriff's deputies said the store manager quickly came around the counter. The three of them struggled through the front door, where two witnesses said the manager slammed Rae to the ground and held him there.
"There was blood everywhere," said another manager on duty, Abby Ostrom, 25.
Barnes was a regional runner-up in Golden Gloves competition in the novice and open divisions before enlisting in the Marines in 1956.
He lived most of his adult life in Comstock Park with his wife, Patricia, before recently moving to Ottawa County. The couple have three children.
After retiring as an iron worker, he now works part-time as a starter at a golf course.
Barnes said he'd probably do the same thing again under the same circumstances, if for no other reason than what he would face back home.
"I wouldn't want my wife to give me hell for lettin' that guy get my money," he said with a smile.
___

[KARL THE GRUNT]

Seven shots..three hits..about right for airwing. : )

karl ..0311..of course!

By the way, I am just pulling the Airedales tails..what that Ole Marine did was outstanding.

[Covertness]

Center Mass Karl. Both of the punks plus a head shot.

Even I know you don't fuck with a Marine. Especially when they are protecting civilians.

[SGRock]

Best friend or worse enemy you'll ever have is a Marine. Those punks chose poorly.