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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHer son died robbing a Pizza Hut. Now she wants the employee who shot him to be charged with a crime
Temia Hairstons last conversation with her son was not an easy one. Michael Grace Jr. had been fired from a series of low-paying, unskilled jobs. He had a 4-year-old child and a pregnant girlfriend. Essentially homeless, the 28-year-old was not in a position to take care of anyone, even himself.
His mother didnt know what he needed more a motivational speech or tough love.
He had lost everything. He lost his Pizza Hut job. He lost his primary job. And because he lost his jobs, he lost his car also, Hairston, of Charlotte, told The Washington Post. We were talking about baby Michael and I was like, you got to get it together because [the childs mother] is having to take care of him by herself because youre not working. I need you to get yourself together and get back on your grind.
Hairston said she wasnt sure if her words sunk in. He was nodding, she said of the Oct. 29 conversation, but he had a look on his face like he had nothing left to lose.
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/her-son-died-robbing-a-pizza-hut-now-she-wants-the-employee-who-shot-him-to-be-charged-with-a-crime/ar-AAk10b5
CBGLuthier
(12,723 posts)by a couple of guys robbing a restaurant. Sorry,for her loss, but fuck her son. He shoved a gun into people's faces and made them fear for their lives. Fuck him.
Warpy
(111,339 posts)I knew his mother would be totally out of luck on this one, no matter how tragic her son's story was.
That restaurant in OK wasn't the only robbery/massacre. Here it was a video rental store, 5 people dead.
leftynyc
(26,060 posts)a gun pointed at her head during a bank robbery. I wish someone had been there to shoot the cretin that did that to her. She's never forgotten how she felt thinking she was going to die with two young children at home.
Heeeeers Johnny
(423 posts)For the life of me, I can't understand the mentality of these maggots that they would murder someone
in cold blood for the sake of a couple of hundred dollars or less.
Eleanors38
(18,318 posts)street cred, juice. Beware of being herded into walk-ins and backrooms!
Shrike47
(6,913 posts)TheDebbieDee
(11,119 posts)Jason1961
(413 posts)While what he did was wrong I think it's obvious he was desperate and desperate people are dangerous people.
I'd like to know more, why did an employee even have a gun with them if the company policy prohibits it?
Demonaut
(8,926 posts)fuck that guy.
It happened at a Chuck E Cheese in my neighborhood too.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1993_Aurora_shooting
On December 13, 1993, four employees were shot and killed and a fifth employee was seriously injured at a Chuck E. Cheese's restaurant in Aurora, Colorado. The perpetrator, 19-year-old Nathan Dunlap, a former employee of the restaurant, was frustrated about being fired from working at the restaurant five months prior to the shooting and sought revenge by committing the attack. He had also fled the scene of the shooting with stolen cash and restaurant items.
Yo_Mama
(8,303 posts)It's one of the tragedies of our common life that people risk their lives in low-wage jobs knowing that they may become the victims of violence.
closeupready
(29,503 posts)I'd forgotten how that fact sort of steered my life in a different direction.
deathrind
(1,786 posts)Has happened to journalism? Why was this even in the article.
"Fast-food workers who have killed robbers in North Carolina have been charged in the past.
In 2007, Donte McFadden walked into a west Charlotte McDonalds, tapped a gun on the counter and demanded cash, according to a report in the Charlotte Observer. Police say it was part of a scheme he concocted with his cousin the restaurants manager.
McFadden was shot and killed by a McDonalds worker, Tiemeyer Neshawn Sanders, who was a felon. Sanders was making burgers in the back when the robber walked into the location. He pulled out his own gun and fatally shot McFadden. Later, police charged him with possession of a firearm by a felon."
closeupready
(29,503 posts)It's actually a very profitable way of generating revenue, but you have to sell your soul to make it work. Some people are willing to do that.
Warpy
(111,339 posts)but not murder or even manslaughter.
If the shooter in the OP was a felon with a firearm, he'll get charged also, but not with the death of the armed robber.
That was my point. Using it as an example showing a precedent resulting in a charge for self defense when the charge has nothing to do with self defense lacks integrity and is shoddy journalism.
procon
(15,805 posts)of losing a loved one, and then they lash out at others. They are vulnerable and their precarious mental state leaves them open to exploitation. Look at that poor woman who lost her son at Benghazi and is now being used by Trump to blame Hillary for his death.
closeupready
(29,503 posts)and say figuratively, 'ha! I'm glad you're dead!'
He may have been a good son gone bad, and if so, that's why he ended up this way. I'm sad for her, but it's just how it goes, IMO, but I don't relish that fact.
hollowdweller
(4,229 posts)snooper2
(30,151 posts)but we gotta look cool first right!
Marr
(20,317 posts)Maybe they should sue her for such bad parenting.
Seriously, any parent who comes into a scene like this after the fact to blame everyone but their precious child is showing you exactly how that kid ended up that way.
Travis_0004
(5,417 posts)ileus
(15,396 posts)Upin
(115 posts)Mr Dixon
(1,185 posts)I have no words, this entire situation could have been avoided with a little common sense it is not a good idea to rob anyone or and franchise, yes I understand grief but this was his own fault.
Takket
(21,625 posts)But wanting charges against the person that defending himself when his life was threatened is victim blaming pure and simple.
I think the mom will accept that eventually.
hollowdweller
(4,229 posts)However in my opinion you take something armed or by threat of violence you will deserve whatever you get.
Heeeeers Johnny
(423 posts)beachbum bob
(10,437 posts)Yo_Mama
(8,303 posts)Sadly, in all too many cases victims who comply are still killed.
Grief has driven this woman crazy, but the rest of us are not doing her any favor if we do not give her a strong "No".
No one has the right to threaten another human being with death or injury and be protected by the law when the victim of that threat responds with deadly force. That includes her son.
When you commit an armed robbery, the police are perfectly justified in shooting you during the commission of it, and so is anyone else. Her thinking may be part of the reason that her son did this stupid and fatal thing. There is no kindness in even being silent in the face of her irrationality.
It is understandable that she would be in agony, and we can sympathize with her grief, but not to the point of seeming to let this pass.
Dawson Leery
(19,348 posts)geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)I've seen much, much worse examples of this...
Tarc
(10,476 posts)but, you pull a gun on someone while commiting a crime, that's the way it goes...
aikoaiko
(34,183 posts)Unless there is evidence of some wrongdoing outside of the action of shooting the robber with a gun, this case should be dismissed immediately and the plaintiff charged the defendant's defense and court costs.