Police in Plantation, Florida, say ex-Marine within his rights to shoot armed robbers in Subway

[Ian David]

Police in Plantation, Florida, say ex-Marine within his rights to shoot armed robbers in Subway

By Akilah Johnson, Andrew Tran and Juan C. Ortega
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Posted June 29 2007

Some are calling a former U.S. Marine a hero for shooting two men — killing one — during the botched robbery of a sandwich shop in Plantation. But the men's friends and family want to know how he could gun them down and not be charged.

John Lovell had just finished dinner at about 11:15 p.m. Wednesday when, Plantation police say, two men armed with guns rushed inside a Subway shop and demanded cash. After robbing the store, the men turned to Lovell. They wanted his money, police said.

But like his attackers, Lovell was armed.

The retired military man opened fire, shooting dead Donicio Arrindell, 22, of North Lauderdale, and critically injuring Fredrick Gadson, 21, of Fort Lauderdale.

Lovell, 71, of Plantation, has a valid concealed weapons permit and is not expected to be charged in the shooting, said police spokesman Detective Robert Rettig. Gadson, however, faces multiple felony charges that could include murder, he said. Under Florida law, anyone who commits a felony such as armed robbery resulting in a death can be held accountable for the capital offense.

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Florida law gives people the right of "self-defense without the duty to retreat." That means individuals can use deadly force virtually anywhere to prevent death or serious injury.

More:
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flbsubway0629sbjun29,0,4065858.story?coll=sfla-news-broward