Family Of Robbery Suspect Blames Retired Marine for Fatal Shooting

'If you want to kick a tiger in the ass, you'd better have a plan for dealing with his teeth.' - comment about this story on Topix.com

22-year old Donicio Arrindell of North Lauderdale was killed during the robbery attempt. Photo courtesy: Plantation, Florida Police

(PLANTATION, Fla.) - Emotions are flying in Plantation, Florida as the families of two armed robbery suspects shot by a 71-year old retired Marine a little over a year ago, claim that the former warrior had no right to take the law into his own hands.

But 71-year old John Lovell had a concealed weapons permit, and he didn't draw his handgun and fire until the suspects reportedly tried to force him into a bathroom.

A Florida newspaper reported that John Lovell had just finished dinner at about 11:15 PM that night, when the two men armed with guns quickly entered a Subway shop and demanded cash.

It seems like it could have ended there, but instead the men turned to Lovell and demanded his money, and then according to Police, tried to force him into a bathroom. The retired Marine apparently feigned dropping his wallet, and instead of picking it up, brandished a 9mm handgun and brought the robbery to a swift close.

A Marine Named Marion Carl

Many in Oregon recall the story of a retired Marine in Roseburg who was actually the first Marine Corps fighter pilot ace in WWII. The story of Marion Carl has similar components; armed men, a robbery, death, shots fired. But when he died In 1998, at the age of 82, Mr. Carl was a murder victim, shot to death during a robbery, defending his wife Edna from a home invader.

Local 10 TV News, the Florida station covering the story, says the foiled June 2007 incident the attempted robbery of a Subway sandwich shop. They reported that the former Marine was the lone customer at the time of the robbery.

John Lovell ultimately shot 22-year old Donicio Arrindell of North Lauderdale dead, and critically injured 21-year old Fredrick Gadson, also of Fort Lauderdale.

Suspect's Families Say it was Wrong

The family of one of the robbery suspects shot by Lovell, told Local News 10 that the Marine was wrong for pulling the trigger.

"He should not have taken the law in his hands," Rosa Jones, Gadson's grandmother, told reporters. Her husband echoed words that seemed to pass over the fact that an innocent person survived a frightening encounter while breaking no actual laws. Ivory Jones stated, "I don't condone what they did, (but) I definitely don't condone the news people making him out to seem like they're making a hero out of this man because he shot somebody down,"

Shot somebody down? It is one thing to criticize a homeowner who blasts an unarmed prowler, but these guys were armed and dangerous and they were going to take this man into a bathroom. Marion Carl was "shot down" in front of his wife in Oregon. These suspects were met with the same force they were using in the robbery attempt.

The South Florida Sun Sentinel reported at the time that the survivor of the botched robbery, Fredrick Gadson, was far from out of the woods, and would likely face multiple felony charges that could include murder. Detective Robert Rettig, a spokesman for Plantation Police, said that under Florida law, anyone who commits a felony including armed robbery that results in a death, they can actually be held accountable for the capital offense.

Rettig says the retired Marine John Lovell clearly feared for his own life. "And if he's in fear for his life, then he has a right to defend himself, even if it means severe bodily injury or death."

Richard Henderson of Deer Park, Texas left this comment on Topix.com; "Like Tom Clancy said. 'If you want to kick a tiger in the ass, you'd better have a plan for dealing with his teeth.' I feel for these young men's family, but you never know who you may run into if you break the law. This should give others a second thought before they try to harm others in there laziness to make 'easy money'."

Even though Americans like Henderson clearly support Lovell, the friends and family of the men who were shot want to know how he could "gun them down and not be charged."

Life is hard for families of people who die violently, every time, and there is simply no getting around that. But plenty of Americans without a doubt, support this retired Marine.

In Oregon it takes on a meaning unto itself, as it is so hard to forget what happened to the decorated war hero, Marion Carl. Perhaps some day the nation's economic picture will improve and people from impovershed communities will not feel the need to commit capitol crimes like armed robbery.

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Tim King is a former U.S. Marine with twenty years of experience on the west coast as a television news producer, photojournalist, reporter and assignment editor. Today, in addition to his role as a war correspondent in Afghanistan where he spent the winter of 2006/07, this Los Angeles native serves as Salem-News.com's Executive News Editor. Salem-News.com is the nation's only truly independent high traffic news Website, affiliated with Google News and several other major search engines and news aggregators. Tim's coverage from Iraq that was set to begin in April has been delayed and may not take place until August, 2008. You can send Tim an email at this address: newsroom@salem-news.com

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What a beautiful story!! There is justice! These two no good thugs got what they deserved, and their families set the example for them. What wonderful parents!!

Taking a life with a gun is a serious thing. Not to be taken lightly. You thugs out there are playing russian roulette when you rob people at gunpoint. There are many more future heros out there armed and ready to help you loose. Mr. Lovell is a hero in my book!

In Oregon it takes on a meaning unto itself, as it is so hard to forget what happened to the decorated war hero, Marion Carl. Perhaps some day the nation's economic picture will improve and people from impovershed communities will not feel the need to commit capitol crimes like armed robbery. Tim, I just happened to see this story and can't help but respond. I don't buy into the idea that coming from an "impoverished community" justifies criminal behavior. Lot's of us came from poor families and we were taught that hard work and perseverence were the keys to moving beyond that. I know in Marine Corps boot camp they explained validity of excuses like that to you.

I get so sick and tired of people defending thier little babies. Did the parents know where their kids were and what they were doing. How many other Subways or Arby's these kids have robbed and how many other customers have they taken to the bathroom and robbed and possibly beaten. What kind of parents are they. Maybe they should also be arrested, After all, they are the ones who raised them to be who they were.

I love a happy ending.

OOHRAH!! SEMPER FI, DO OR DIE!!! Thank heaven for MARINES!! My husband and I would have done the same thing, and not think twice about it. Break the law=suffer the consequences!

maybe blacks should take responsability for their actions instead of play the race card when they don't get their way.they should not complain when they pay consequences for cimmitting a crime.good shooting marine!you are a hero!as for the family of the criminals it is you to blame for the behavior of the dead robber!it was your job to raise him properly you failed!

Editor to bxn:  How exactly did the family play the race card?  Your own ignorance bears out very clear here.  The family did not make it a matter of race, you did.   Why don't you make your suggestions to all people?  Did you forget that white people commit more crimes on a daily basis than black people?  What the hell should we do about "those whites" anyway?  How does that feel?  Quit making things racial that aren't.  The family of the suspect who died is sad; it is tragic.  It has not a damned thing to do with the color of anyone's skin, get it figured out!

DONT DO THE CRIME IF YA DONT LIKE A BULLET ! WHO'S NEXT LOL

This story had a good ending. This man is a HERO who saved lives and took out the trash at the sametime

This won't be the last we hear of Fredrick Gadson.....get some practice, John Lovell, you let one get away to try again next time..........

Something tells me that photograph of the dead one, wasn't taken at the last family Christmas gathering. I seriously doubt the family is overly shocked at what's happened.

Riiiight, the marine is just sooo wrong. Uh, these 2 "Wondeful Yoots" barged in the store with A GUN, And ATTEMPTED TO ROB THE PLACE:But b/c a quick witted citizen did the right f'ng thing THEY ARE NOW DEAD, AND THE STORE IS SAFE.Wake the hell up America: Violent,predatory Cancers like this do this everyday!Now, someone explain to me WHY the hell not we defend ourselves from them? What, were these two just really nice guys? B*llshit.They were predatory criminals who would have killed for the money, and at the least, they were terrorizing these people at the shop.... I have NO f"ng Pity.I'd have done the same. You try to rob me, I F"NG KILL YOU.Their grandmother is a F"NG idiot: Where were their fathers?(yeah,right.) Yeah, such good kids,my ASS. They did not DESERVE TO DIE? Lady, look at these comments-----It seems to me that we are ALL FED UP W/VIOLENT PREDATORY APES LIKE THESE:And now some of us are fighting back.Good. woo haa!

Over 600,000 Americans were murdered between 1975-2005 as per government sourced data. Approximately 35+% of these murders remain unsolved. Blacks account for over 56% of murder convictions. When you factor in the unsolved murder rate (and suspect descriptions) with the conviction rate, blacks account for 68% (+/- 3%) of all murders between 1975-2005. In 2005 blacks were reported (reports are always lower than reality) in 37,000 rapes of white females. Black females reported rapes by white males at less than 100 during the same time period. Blacks account for 13% of the U.S. population. All this data is government sourced as compiled by law enforcement agencies across the country. This above (article) event happens many times on a daily level and it's getting worse. It really does not matter if one wants to label this as racist or not, it is what it is, and people should take steps from becoming a victim. The recent decision that overturned the ban on people being allowed to keep handguns in their homes in D.C. and elsewhere by a majority of our Supreme Court was simply an interpretation of the Founders intent for the 2nd Amendment and just common sense as per countless years of government based statistics (please read the majority's opinion for an excellent legal interpretation for their reasoning. It is written so lay people can understand and it totally usurps the opinions of many journalistic pundits). I hope that law abiding citizens take steps to protect themselves and realize how #4 activists judges nearly destroyed a significant part of our Bill of Rights. I would imagine that in the Fall, this will be a significant election issue, which it should be. Facts should never be withheld from the citizens, especially if it impacts their safety.

Hi John! I'm glad that you were safe!! Thank heavens for weapons to protect ourselves!

Where ways this grandmammy at when her "Good boy" ways running around with a gun? ALl I can say is "He's a really good boy now." :)

John, You did the right thing. SEMPER FI

These animals knew the risk and took it. Fortunately they lost. Two less thugs in the world!

We have waited for judges and prosecutors to handle this for us for decades. They have allowed people like this guy (and his grandmother) to run rampant over the rest of us for too long. Would she be weeping if her grandson had shot Mr. Lovell in the bathroom? No, it would have been because of his "disadvantaged youth" in a courtroom. Now his youth is really disadvantaged. We are finally returning to a country where things are your own fault. These boys ran into traffic and got hit. Grandmothers used to tell their children that would happen, to help them avoid it.

Not about race? FBI stats on race and crime disagree with your naive assessment Tim.

Tim King: What are you saying Brian?  I took it as a matter of being illegal, not a certain race.  So I guess all white people are bac because some commit crimes?  I guess I am naive, I thought it was just bad choices.  Some black people make good ones, some make bad ones.  Only racists see it in other terms, and their lowered levels of intelligence render them unable to know any better.  Perhaps none of it is anyone's fault?

Hopefully, thanks to Mr. Lovell, young thugs everywhere might be considering career changes. Thank you to the U.S. Marines for their fine training. And thank you Mr. Lovell.

Hooo-ahhhh. Nice shooting, Marine. Your going to have to clean the weapon whether you shoot 3 bullets, or 9. Don't be so stingy next time!

Where did I mention the perps race?

Dude, the word "monkeys" is only going to be taken one way.  I am glad for this Marine being able to survive the incident, but that is going to sit wrong with people man.   If you somehow didn't mean that to be racist, then... good.

Editor: This STUPID racist comment will not be approved.  Remember this is not about race; and all racists have significantly lower IQ's than non-racists.  You are not welcome here.

Tim King

Well done Mr. Lovell. Young White americans need examples like this. Well done to the reporter for not taking the side of the criminals. Americans need to stand up to thieving scum like Mr.Lovell did.

Thank god. Another criminal goes to hell. Maybe his loving fambly should have did something about his career criminal behavior. I'm glad he is dead. The marine deserves a million dollar reward.

If you try to rob a store at gunpoint, and then you happen to get shot and killed in the process - well, I'm sorry, but I guess life just isn't fair sometimes, is it?

good for you, john lovell. i salute you and your service(s) to our country. semper fi

Way to go! This is what needs to be done to scum like this.

He had every right to judge them when they had a gun in his presence and committing a crime with it. I hope more people have guns and more criminals get to experience their usage against them. I think more experiences like this and you'll see either less crime or criminals, either way a good thing.

SEMPER FI

John was just "Takin' out the trash." Good going man...

Oh my God! Talk about STUPID mentality! To the dead mans family members: I too, have a concealed weapons permit. You point a gun at me...I WILL KILL YOU!

God bless that man, better these scum than some poor innocent folks.

Not sure what the victim's family is thinking. This guy has hero written all over him!

good job John Lovell, two less dangerous thieves to worry about.

Hooray for Lovell!!

Symptomatic of our society today, the family of the perpetrator wants to blame the intended victim for not just handing over his money, property, or life.

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