Walgreens Employee Fired For Pulling Out Weapon On Gunman

SPARK · #1 09-12-2011, 05:52 PM

A Walgreens employee was fired for pulling out a weapon on a burglar that entered the store with a gun in hand. Watch the surveillance video that fueled questions of whether his termination was fair or not.

Walgreens pharmacist, Jeremy Hovan, fired his weapon at burglars who attempted to rob the store he worked at and is now without employment. Hovan is taking up another fight and has filed a lawsuit against his former employer.

'No life was lost, no life was harmed, and nothing was stolen,' Hovan's lawyer, Dan Swanson, told NBC News. 'So in that context, I think he was a hero. He was exercising his reasonable right of self-defense in the face of a gunman who attempted to pull a trigger three times and shoot him. Presumably, shoot him dead.'

While working the overnight shift at the pharmacy in the Benton Harbour, Michigan Walgreens, Hovan was caught by surprise when two armed burglars came running in through the main entrance. One gunman grabbed a fellow employee, while another jumped the pharmacy counter and repeatedly pulled the trigger on his weapon.

'I feared for my life, and in self-defense, I fired my weapon as I continued to move from him,' Hovan said at a press conference. 'He hurdled over the counter in a single motion and pointed his weapon at me. The gunman repeatedly attempted to fire upon me.'

The gun did not fire, but Hovan was quick to react. Hovan carried a weapon with him with a permit in hand after a prior robbery at the store, he never alerted his superiors of the weapon. Hovan grabbed his gun and shot at the gunman while attempting to call 911. The two men fled and are still at-large.

Walgreens released a statement as to explain Hovan's termination.

'Store employees receive comprehensive training on how to react and respond to a potential robbery situation. Law enforcement strongly advises against confrontation of crime suspects.'

Watch the chilling video and let us know if Walgreens' decision to fire Hovan was just or not.

Walgreens Employee Fired For Pulling Out Weapon On Gunman - Terra