Firearms Owners Against Crime
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
Highland Park, MI – A Michigan business owner fatally shot an armed robbery suspect who confronted him inside a Highland Park restaurant at closing time.
The incident occurred at the Woodward Bistro at approximately 1 a.m. on Oct. 24 as the business owner was preparing to close up shop for the night, WXYZ reported.
The owner said that he went into a back office with a bartender and a waitress to conduct a cash count before the end of the day.
Police said that was when an armed suspect entered the restaurant and made his way back to the manager’s office, WXYZ reported.
The suspect, who had been to the restaurant as a patron in the past, pulled a rusted, .357 revolver out of his wool sock, and demanded that the business owner give him cash, according to WDIV.
Police said that the owner complied with his demands and handed over the money, WXYZ reported.
But police said the armed suspect wanted more.
“When he received that money, he turned his attention towards the bartender and was attempting to take her cell phone and rob her, as well,” Highland Park Police Detective Brian Mege told WXYZ.
So the business owner drew his own weapon - a concealed .40-caliber Glock handgun - and fired several rounds at the suspect, WDIV reported.
The 33-year-old robber was struck and died at the scene, according to WXYZ.
Police said the armed robber did not fire any rounds during the altercation.
However, the waitress was grazed by one of the bullets fired by her boss.
Det. Mege said that the graze wound was unintentional and that the waitress was a “victim of circumstance,” WXYZ reported.
She was transported to a local hospital, where she was treated and released.
Three customers who were inside the restaurant at the time of the robbery were not injured, according to WXYZ.
Police said that the business owner had a concealed weapons permit.
Once the police investigation into the incident is completed, the findings will be turned over to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office.
The prosecutor will determine whether or not the shooting was in self-defense, WXYZ reported.