Even though we are not legally allowed CCWs here in Calif., I have "heard and read" about postings where Blockbuster has said no weapons in their stores, I wonder if the murders read the stupid sign. Oopsiee, sorry!
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4 Killed in Second Video Store Robbery in a Week
Two Blockbuster employees in Alabama and two customers were shot at close range in the back of the head. It was the second violent video store robbery this week in the area. The description of the suspect was the same in both incidents.
ANNISTON, Ala. (AP) 5.16.02, 8:05a -- Four young men, including two brothers browsing for videos, were shot and killed during a robbery at a Blockbuster store.
"I've been around a lot of crime scenes, but that was about as gruesome as I have ever seen," Police Chief Wayne Chandler said.
Employee Austin Joplin, 22, was found dead at the scene. Co-worker Douglas Neal, 27, died early Thursday at Regional Medical Center, coroner Bill Partridge said. Both men were found in an office area at the rear of the store. The robbery took place at about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, police said.
Joseph Burch, about 21, and his brother Andrew, about 19, were found dead in a back aisle.
Witnesses told police a man around 20 years old with apparent acne scars and long blond hair was seen driving away in a 1980s-model Ford Mustang.
The description of both the man and car were similar to that given by witnesses to the holdup Monday at the Movie Gallery video store in Heflin, about 20 miles away, police said. A clerk was stabbed but survived; he was treated for his wounds and released.
Relatives of the victims collapsed in grief as they approached the store after word of the Wednesday killings spread.
"The entire Blockbuster family is saddened by this tragic loss," company spokesman Randy Hargrove said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families."