Oklahoma Pharmacy Shooting

[OakRidgeStars]

This is another example of how a justifiable shooting by a robbery victim can turn into excessive use of force. This guy is going to spend the next 10 - 20 years of his life in prison thinking about what he did. He clearly crossed this line when he pumped five more rounds into the suspect while he was lying on the floor. We'll see what a jury thinks about his actions.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,522461,00.html

[allingeneral]

That's a tough deal. One of those "You never know what you're going to do until you're put into that situation". 10 or 20 years would be nearly a life sentence for this pharmacist. I hope for the best for him.

[zephyp]

That is indeed a tough deal but we have to be prepared to defend not only ourselves but our actions. He would have been home free if he'd shot the guy in the head (once) and then tried to render aid. I know that most of us would not want to "help" a scumbag like this but it would only help our case when/if it gets to court. A little restraint and a show of assistance (also to the women) after plugging the guy would have kept this guy out of jail with a hero sign on his chest.

[moss20]

Wish I was on the jury, he would go home a free man. Need to send a message to the criminals in this country.

[skeeterss0]

This is one case that endorses the philosophy of "one shot one kill".

[NickFac]

Wish I was on the jury, he would go home a free man. Need to send a message to the criminals in this country.

+1

[zephyp]

Wish I was on the jury, he would go home a free man. Need to send a message to the criminals in this country.

+1

I would agree with Nick. Having slept on this and read the Oklahoma law they should let this go with a hero sign on his chest, the key to the city, and a medal. I would have plugged the BG in the head, made sure he was down for good, and then done whatever I thought was needed to ensure it was viewed as a "clean shoot." Having no idea who this hero is and more importantly never having faced a similar situation I can only assume he was hyped on adrenalin and reacted accordingly. These scumbag criminals need to get a clue and so do the lawmakers. I read an update on this issue this morning and they are going to push for life without parole or the death sentence. Makes me wonder who the scumbags and bad guys really are.

[OakRidgeStars]

If you watch the video, the shooter turned his back on the injured robber to retrieve a second handgun. That means he no longer consider the robber a threat at that point. So why did he feel the need to shoot him multiple times?. No matter what this robber did, he didn't deserve to be shot after he was no longer a threat to anyone in the pharmacy. I think a jury of his peers will see it the same way. And, after the criminal trial is over, the inevitable civil trial will begin. I think we all know what the result of that trial will be.

[zephyp]

OakRidge - I'm really split on this. If I were on the jury I would not vote to convict, however it does seem he used excessive force. Never having been in a similar situation I can't say with any certainty how I would react. I know how I think I would react as previously stated. Plug him and make sure he's down then make sure I've covered my butt. I think the defense will try and convince the jury he was on an adrenalin rush. Oklahoma law has Castle Doctrine which applies to any place you are lawfully allowed to be. IMHO this guy should not go to jail. If I were king for a day I'd lecture the guy about the use of force and send him home.

[OakRidgeStars]

More updates on this story...

http://newsok.com/druggist-jerome-ersla ... le/3373432

[zephyp]

I think they really need to let this guy go and forget about the whole issue. Prosecuting him and denying his right to bear will only send a strong and positive message to all the scumbags. But of course we already know that...

[allingeneral]

Bill O'Reilly interviewed Ersland a couple of nights ago. The guy just had spinal surgery and is barely able to walk. He indicated that he was afraid for his life and the life of the women behind the counter with him.

I definitely agree...let him go. he did what he thought he had to do to protect himself and those under his charge.

[OakRidgeStars]

I watched that interview as well, and I definitely feel bad for the guy. The bad guy he shot probably would have died anyway, although there's no way of knowing that for sure. Even if the jury finds him not guilty, a jury in a civil trial won't be so easy on him. Regardless of the outcome, his life will be changed forever. I think there is a lesson in this story that we all can learn from.

[zephyp]

I also watched the interview. I had no clue until then of the guy's recent surgery. Also, the fact that he was taking morphine for the pain. I wonder how he's paying for the attorney? Anyone know?

[allingeneral]

I wonder how he's paying for the attorney? Anyone know?

Probably the same way he posted $100,000 bail ($10,000 cash bond). There are a lot of people out there who feel the same way we do with a lot more money and influence. Hopefully, someone or a group of someones are taking care of him.

[canadian]

Are you people for real? I am all for self defense but reloading and shooting someone who is wounded...regardless of what they've done is inexcusable. The video is clear that his intent was to kill. if he truly felt that his life and those in the pharmacy was in danger, why the hell did he LEAVE the store with the one robber on the ground and chase the other leaving the wounded robber in the store alone with the defenseless employees of the pharmacy? I he was truly worried about the wounded robber on the ground, would logic not suggest that he would have taken more shots at him when his partner LEFT the store to make sure he was no longer a threat vs leaving him alone in the pharmacy?

Give me a break re "let him go". We live in a society of law, no one has the right to take the law into their hands and place judgement on someone...not matter what that person did. He clearly intended to kill the boy who was no longer a threat and in my view forfeited his freedom when he crossed that line. In a split second he went from honorable citizen to a cold blooded killer and will be found guilty and sent to jail...believe that.

The Canuck

[OakRidgeStars]

Welcome to VGOF

[allingeneral]

It is my opinion that the pharmacist crossed the line - however, the first line that was crossed was done by the two men who came into his store armed, demanding money. A message needs to be sent to people who think they can run into a place of business or a home or anyplace else, wave a gun in the air or make other threatening gestures, and get something for nothing. This guy got something for nothing alright. He won't be doing it again.

[allingeneral]

Welcome to VGOF

lol

[bossgvr4]

Well I just watched the YouTube video of the O'Reilly - Ersland interview.

I would agree that if I were in his shoes I would have shot either (or both) of the two punks in ski masks brandishing a gun if it were my store. No problems there.

That's the extent to what I would have done the same thing as Ersland.

After that I would have cleared the downed assailant, then locked the door, then checked on the ladies then called 911 or directed one of the ladies to do so then rendered aid to the shot robber.

Going for another gun to put 5 more into a badguy on the floor who is no longer a threat just doesn't wash. He should do time for firing the second weapon because it was totally unnecessary.

Was he operated on before the robbery attempt ? Was he on morphine when he pulled the trigger ? Either way Ersland made a mistake CHOOSING to go back to finish off the injured punk-robber and should be punished for that, he could have gathered up the ladies and retreated out of the situation. He was not cornered or forced to shoot the injured criminal 5 more times in defense of his own life. He could have escaped and he chose to engage .... do not pass go, go directly to jail.

Those punk ass robbers made a mistake choosing to rob this guy as well one of them bit the dust .... I hope the other gets caught and is made someone's girlfriend in jail.