It was kill or be killed, clerk says: From The Tampa Tribune
Address:http://www.tampatrib.com/floridametronews/MGA56IW4DLC.html

Apr 10, 2001
It was kill or be killed, clerk says
STEPHEN THOMPSON
of The Tampa Tribune

The way the convenience store owner and his nephew describe it, Lorenzo
Darlington got $500 to $600 after he walked into the Food Max on March
19 armed with an assault rifle.

When Darlington showed up 11 days later, wearing a mask and armed with a
handgun, he apparently was frustrated when he got only $40, said Michael
Issa, 45, the owner of the store at 1400 18th Ave S.

Issa on Monday recalled lifting the tray to the cash register to show
Darlington that was all he had. But Darlington, the gun shaking in his
hand, kept demanding more.

That’s when Issa’s 22-year-old nephew, who manages the store, pulled a
.38-caliber revolver from behind the counter and, with one hand, fired
it three times at Darlington as the nephew ran toward the back of the
store for cover. Darlington was hit twice.

“I was nervous. I didn?t focus,?? said the nephew, who, like his
uncle, is a native of Lebanon. “I just shoot, you know??? he said
Monday in his first public comments on the aborted holdup March 30.

He withheld his name on the advice of St. Petersburg police, who feared
he might be subject to retaliation. On Monday, a police cruiser was
parked outside the store .

The young man said he had never fired the weapon before.

Darlington, 20, of St. Petersburg died Saturday at Bayfront Medical
Center, a hospital spokeswoman said.

St. Petersburg detectives are expected to forward their findings to the
Pinellas- Pasco State Attorney’s Office, which will decide whether to
charge the clerk.

Issa and his nephew said they were saddened by Darlington’s death. He
was young and could have made a future for himself if he wanted, they
said. The nephew said he tried to explain to Darlington’s mother what
happened. She came to the store the day after the shooting, looking for
answers.

“I explained it to her, and she was sad, really,?? he said.

Still, neither he nor his uncle regrets the gun was used.

“At that time, that?s the only thing I can do,?? said the clerk.
“He was shaky. He wasn?t happy with the money.

“Either he die or I die.??

Stephen Thompson covers Pinellas County law enforcement and can be
reached at [email protected] (727) 823-3303.
? 2001, Media General Inc. All rights reserved
Member agreement and privacy statement

http://www.robertwaters.net