Customer Shoots, Kills Would-Be Armed Robber

Harry J. McCullough Cited For Possessing Weapon Without Proper Permit

POSTED: 5:59 am CDT April 27, 2010
UPDATED: 10:27 am CDT April 28, 2010

OMAHA, Neb. -- An armed robber was shot and killed in an Omaha business Monday night, police said. Investigators said a customer intervened and fired on the gunman.

The robbery took place at the Walgreen’s store at 61st Street and Northwest Radial Highway at 8:50 p.m.

Police said two masked individuals walked into the store. One of them was armed with a short shotgun. The gunman pointed the weapon at customers and at the clerk behind the counter.

A man who had a permit to carry a gun saw the robber point the weapon at the clerk and pulled out his handgun and shot the suspect multiple times, police said. The robber, identified by police as 18-year-old Marquail Thomas, stumbled out of the store and collapsed.

Video: Attorney Gives Account Of Walgreen's Shooting

He was taken to Creighton University Medical Center, where he later died.

The man, Harry J. McCullough, 32, was cited because he didn't have a permit that allowed him to carry the gun concealed.

The second robbery suspect was detained until police arrived. Angelo Douglas, 17, has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and use of a weapon to commit a felony.

Investigators said McCullough was questioned and released after conferring with the Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine.

County Attorney: Shooter Justified

McCullough was in the store picking up prescriptions and buying ice cream when he decided to open fire on the suspected robber, his attorney said.

"My client acted quickly, responsibly, and certainly accurately," said attorney James Martin Davis.

The county attorney said McCullough acted quickly.

"He didn't let them get more than past the metal detectors," Kleine said. He decided he wouldn't file any charges, even adding that McCullough did the right thing.

"People shouldn't enter stores with short shotguns and try and rob people. And it's as simple as that. Fortunately, it turned out that the perpetrator was taken out, and the other perpetrator was arrested," Kleine said.

Davis said McCullough was crying in his office on Tuesday. He said McCullough was shaken up by what happened and will seek counseling.

The city prosecutor is still reviewing the citation against McCullough.

From: http://www.ketv.com/news/23275007/detail.html