Store Owner Fatally Shoots Robbery Suspect in Santa Elena

Police in Santa Elena Town are intensifying their investigation following the fatal shooting of twenty-one-year-old Zeldon Thompson, a suspect in Saturday evening’s armed robbery at Anna’s Store. Authorities confirmed that Thompson, who was known to police, was shot by the store owner after he and another armed accomplice entered the establishment demanding cash. While Thompson later died from his injuries, investigators are now searching for the second suspect who fled the scene, as well as the firearm Thompson used during the attempted robbery. Questions about self-defense and store security are now front and center, even as police work to determine whether the force used was justified. News Five’s Paul Lopez travelled west today and filed the following report.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

The fatal shooting of a twenty-one-year-old robbery suspect has ignited online debate over how far business owners go to protect themselves. When Zeldon Thompson walked into Anna’s Store on Saturday night to pull off an armed robbery, he never imagined the owner would fight back and fatally shoot him. Thompson and another suspect entered the grocery store demanding cash. In an instant, the owner brandished a gun and began shooting toward them, causing them to flee the scene.

 

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

“Upon police arrival they were advised by the proprietors that two male persons, one wore a mask and the other a helmet entered that establishment and they were armed and proceeded to demand that they hand over money in their possession. One of the proprietors who is the holder of a licensed firearm being in fear of his life and that of his family members fired three shots at the individuals who then fled the establishment. While the officers were on the scene they were advised that in an area not too far from where the incident occurred a male person with gunshot wounds was observed.”

 

 

Thompson was rushed to the hospital where he died. Word of the attempted robbery and Thompson’s death spread quickly, prompting business owners to urge Mayor Earl Trapp to address security concerns. This morning, he convened a meeting with senior police officers in the twin towns.

 

Ear Trapp, Mayor, SI/SE

“It breaks my heart when the culprit is shot and dead, not because I am condoning it, but if the culprit was shot and survived it we could have gone from there and life would have continued. But I just want to send out my heartfelt condolence to the family.”

 

 

 

 

The family respectfully declined comment. Thompson’s sister, however, took to social media, expressing her family’s grief over Zeldon’s death. She says, “What he did was wrong and we acknowledge that fully… which has left us deeply hurt and puzzled”, “That being said, he is still a human being, those placing blame on my mother or questioning how she raised him, please refrain”. “We strongly believe he was led astray by the people he considered friend”.

 

 

Earl Trapp

“Unfortunately it took the life of a youth, twenty-one-year-old. But if could have gone anyway, maybe the life of one of the employees or even the store owner.”

 

Paul Lopez

“You spoke about the young man losing his life, how do you view business owners arming themselves and defending their property?”

 

 

 

 

Earl Trapp

“Well, that is number one priority in my humble opinion, because you know there is a saying out there, a thief is a protentional killer. So, you always have to take care of yourself first. So, even though, I am not happy with how the guy past away, I believe the owner has alright to defend himself.”

 

Police say the DPP will decide if the store owner’s use of force was justified.

 

ASP Stacy Smith

“The investigators compiled a file and they will submit that to the office of the DPP where a determination will be made whether the force used was justifiable under the circumstances.”

 

 

 

As for the security concerns from business owners in the twin towns, Mayor Trapp and the police department agreed on several measures to be implemented during the holidays. Those plans include ramped-up police patrols, with special attention on motorcycle riders.

 

Earl Trapp

“We will be doing more patrols and any suspicious motorists, like motorcycle users, because you can recognize them from far. We will not say what it is that helps us to recognize them, but they have bene doing things to hide their identities in different ways. But when the police department spots individuals that look suspicions they will stop them and do a spot check.”

 

 

Mayor Trapp advises business owners to remain vigilant and increase their own security measures where possible. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez