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Denmark: Shop owner shot thieves in back
Police have charged a Copenhagen watchmaker with attempted murder for shooting two of three men who allegedly used a fake gun to threaten the shopkeeper.Impudent serf! The watchmaker claimed he shot the men in self defence, but police have many unanswered questions regarding the incident, particularly since the thieves were shot in the back. But still on the premises after brandishing a weapon during the commission of a crime. Police want to know why the thieves were shot while apparently in the process of leaving the shop and what the watchmaker was doing with two guns in his shop. Possession of firearms is illegal in Denmark, with the exception of certain antique models or hunting rifles kept at licensed clubs and organisations. But the impudent serf has a license to conduct lawful business in Copenhagen, but he does not have the right to defend himself and his property. The watchmaker did not deny shooting at the robbers, who were described as being of eastern European origin. An honest man in Copenhagen. In a better time, they'd raise a statue in his honor, next to the mermaid. 'He has acknowledged having shot at the three men,' Detective Inspector John Amdisen of Copenhagen Police told Politiken newspaper. "We've cracked the case!" The story police have so far is that one of the three thieves placed a fake pistol under the watchmaker's chin, the shopowner panicked, pulled a pistol from his pocket and started shooting. 'He shot until he couldn't shoot anymore,' said Amidsen. Hell, WE ought to give that man American citizenship. It is not yet known how many shots were fired, but three bullets found their way into two of the robbers. Police also found rifle at the crime scene. Considering the circumstances, that's decent gun control. The watchmaker had been robbed on several occasions prior to this latest attempt. In March 2004, two armed robbers entered his store and threatened his niece, who is a co-owner of the store. The watchmaker responded by throwing hot coffee at the robbers and throwing a screwdriver at one of them. The incident is a rare one and lawyers, law enforcement officials and even the general public will follow closely the proceedings and outcome of any upcoming trial. 'I can't recall that we've ever had a case here where a citizen has shot at robbers and claimed self-defence. It will be an indicator of how similar cases in the future are decided and could lead to a situation where other shopkeepers have weapons under their counters to use, if they are targets of robberies,' said defence lawyer Torben Koch. Dream on, Torben The watchmaker was scheduled to appear before the magistrate for a preliminary hearing Wednesday, where he was expected to be detained in custody. The two injured thieves' wounds were not life threatening and all three men will be charged with attempted robbery. Posted by: mrp 2007-01-18 |
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