Oh, you’ll have fun with this one, dear reader. And when you are finished, you’ll want to pick up a copy of Heather Mac Donald’s excellent book War on Cops: How the New Attack on Law and Order Makes Everyone Less Safe.

Pay special (close) attention to the details of this case and the black family involved in the ugliness. [Armed robber shot and killed. Family blames the clerk, saying he shouldn’t have weapon at work., Law Enforcement Today, October 13, 2019]:

Remember that time you got pulled over for going 55 in a 30 with an expired registration? And remember how the cop wrote you two tickets? Do you remember thinking, “well, I shouldn’t have been speeding and I should have renewed my registration? But if I am being honest, I am really in the situation because that cop had the nerve to pull me over and hold me responsible for my choices.”

Pretty sound logic, huh?

But that is the logic being used by the family of a 23-year old Ohio man, who was shot and killed while trying to rob a Dollar General store at gun point.

Roosevelt Rappley entered the Dayton-area store, produced a firearm and starting demanding money. One of the store clerks was a concealed carry permit holder and was legally armed. Once the suspect pointed his weapon at this clerk, he drew his own weapon and fired, striking the subject in the chest.

Rappley returned fire, hitting no one, before stumbling outside and collapsing. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The clerk placed a 9-1-1 call.

“He pointed a gun at me,” the caller said. “I had a firearm on me. I pulled my firearm and I shot him in self-defense.”

According to police, witnesses confirmed that the assailant pointed his weapon at the clerk, prompting him to draw and fire, fearing for his life.

Shortly after the failed robbery attempt, two members of Rappley’s family spoke with reporters outside the store where he was shot and killed. Their thoughts: it is the fault of the clerk for being legally armed and acting in self-defense.

Rappley’s sister went on record as saying that even though her brother was wrong…it was all the clerk’s fault. Here is what she said:

“He’s got some responsibility, but not all. [Right is] right and wrong is wrong. That was wrong for that clerk to shoot my brother in the chest. Yes, he’s robbing them. OH, WELL (emphasis by the speaker)! Call the police, that’s what you’re supposed to do. You’re not supposed to take matters into your own hands.”

Actually, that is the very definition of self-defense. You do take matters into your own hands. This scenario is one of the many reasons why law-abiding Americans do carry a weapon. The woman went on to say that there is no reason to have a gun for protection at work. It stands to reason that her brother just provided at least one reason.

According to the siblings, this is the second of ten siblings killed by gunfire. We don’t know under what circumstances the other died, but Roosevelt Rappley is responsible in this case.

According to Dollar General officials, they have a number of measures to protect the safety of employees and customers. They didn’t say if employees are allowed to carry firearms, according to a statement.

Rappley does have prior history with police.