CINCINNATI — No charges will be filed against a West Price Hill convenience store owner for the deadly shooting of a would-be robber.
Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters said Thursday the shooting was "clearly justified" during a news conference where he also released surveillance video from in and outside the store (watch below).
James Douglas, 48, attempted to rob the Glenway Pony Keg on Glenway Avenue at 4:38 p.m. on Jan. 23. Deters said the 63-year-old store owner was defending herself and her property when she shot and killed Douglas. Deters expressed sympathy for the man’s children.
“I feel badly for the children of the man who got shot. But he brought it on himself,” Deters said. “It's a very sad situation. But he went into the store to rob it, clearly. She defended herself."
Deters said Douglas had a loaded gun during the robbery, but he did not chamber the first round.
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“When he tried to shoot her it wouldn't fire — obviously,” Deters said.
Surveillance video, provided by the prosecutor's office, shows Douglas as he approached the entrance in dark clothing with his face half-covered. He immediately walked behind the counter, demanding the store owner put money into a plastic Kroger bag. Douglas then turned toward a lottery cash register and that's when the woman grabbed her weapon from her belt and shot Douglas in the chest. There was a struggle between Douglas and the store owner even after he was shot. She suffered minor injuries.
Watch a portion of the surveillance video below. WCPO paused the video before shots were fired:
“To resort to sticking a gun in some woman’s face is unacceptable in the least,” Deters said. “Hopefully people will recognize this.”
The gun fired by the store owner was legally owned, Deters said. She is not being named due to the fact she is not being charged.
“She did what she had to do,” the prosecutor said.
