An Ohio prosecutor has charged a smoke shop manager with allegedly fatally shooting a 16-year-old boy during an attempted robbery – but warned that people “should expect to get shot” if they target the shop.
Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers filed charges against the manager, Tony Thacker, 29, for allegedly shooting at would-be robbers as they fled the VIP Smokehouse in Delhi Township on Oct. 20, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported.
“There is no justification for shooting someone because they are running away,” Powers said in a statement.
“However, I want to make it clear — this retail theft will not be tolerated. If you try to rob a store, you should expect to be shot,” he added.
Thacker was inside the store when several people threw rocks through the front window to gain entry.
Thacker, who lives in the back of the business, went to investigate when he heard glass break and encountered 16-year-old Travis Johnson and 19-year-old Amontae Carter, according to the outlet.
The manager, who is not allowed to possess a firearm because of a felony conviction he received as a juvenile, is accused of fatally shooting Johnson and continuing to shoot the other suspects as they tried to flee in a stolen car, the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office said.
Carter was reportedly hit in one of the vehicles.
A smoke shop manager has been charged for his alleged actions during the robbery. WXIX
Thacker and his brother, Malachi 21, tried to disable the store’s security system and remove bullet casings from the scene, the Enquirer reported.
On Friday, the manager was charged with felony assault, tampering with evidence and illegal possession of a firearm. His brother was charged with tampering with evidence.
Tony Thacker has been charged for allegedly shooting at would-be robbers. Delhi Municipal PD Malachi Thacker, 21, was charged with tampering with evidence. Delhi Municipal PD
Carter has been charged with murder, burglary and possession of criminal tools. If convicted on all charges, he faces life in prison with parole eligibility after 15 years.
Amontae Carter, 19, faces charges of murder, burglary and possession of criminal tools. Delhi Municipal PD
Three other suspects, two men and a woman, were also arrested.
Although none of them shot Johnson himself, all three face murder and burglary charges.
The 15-year-old boy was also charged with vehicle theft, while the 16-year-old girl and 17-year-old boy faced charges of receiving stolen property.
Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers Prosecutor Melissa Powers/Facebook
Two people called 911 about the shooting, WCPO reported.
The first said he heard a woman screaming and the second identified himself as the owner of the store.
“Do you know who shot him?” the 911 dispatcher asked.
“My employees. He was protecting himself, the man hit the store,” the man replied, according to the outlet.
Johnson’s brother, 20-year-old Isaiah Johnson, was charged with felony assault after he allegedly shot a woman while watching over the 16-year-old, WCPO reported.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
