Pizza Hut employee suspended for defending store in 'good old-fashioned gunfight'

Gun-loving states A Pizza Hut employee was recently suspended after fending off an intruder via a shootout. See 17 states that love guns more than Texas. Gun-loving states A Pizza Hut employee was recently suspended after fending off an intruder via a shootout. See 17 states that love guns more than Texas. Photo: Kevork Djansezian, Staff Photo: Kevork Djansezian, Staff Image 1 of / 30 Caption Close Pizza Hut employee suspended for defending store in 'good old-fashioned gunfight' 1 / 30 Back to Gallery

A Springfield, Missouri Pizza Hut employee was recently reprimanded for getting into a gunfight with an intruder.

William Hotop, 31, rushed to grab the store's gun after hearing the front door break down.

"It was like, 'Oh, sh**,'" Hotop told the Springfield News-Leader. "I know you can't put that in the news, but that's the best way I can describe it."

After spotting Hotop, the intruder reached inside his hoodie and the two men exchanged fire.

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The robber eventually fled the premise, but not without Hotop chasing him and firing two more shots as he ran.

"It was a good old-fashioned gunfight," Hotop said. "I protected (Pizza Hut) like it was my home. I love my job."

Unfortunately, despite putting his life on the line to defend the pizza shop, Hotop was suspended without pay. His manager and owner of the gun — who Hotop said was robbed at gunpoint a week before the robbery — was fired due to the incident.

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In a statement to Fox News, Pizza Hut did not say how long Hotop would be suspended for or why, but did stress that the local Pizza Hut franchise was working with police and wanted to ensure the safety of its team and community.

Hotop believes both the suspension and his manager's firing were unjust, but hopes to go back to delivering pizza.

See 17 states that love guns more than Texas above.