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Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: Ichiban on September 08, 2011, 02:43:33 PM

Title: Fired pharmacist who foiled robbers sues Walgreens
Post by: Ichiban on September 08, 2011, 02:43:33 PM
Fired pharmacist who foiled robbers sues Walgreens
CHICAGO - A pharmacist fired by the nation's largest drugstore chain after he foiled a late-night armed robbery of his Michigan store by shooting at the gunmen has sued Walgreens for wrongful termination.

The federal suit accuses Walgreens of violating Jeremy Hoven's civil rights when it terminated his employment in May just days after the attempted holdup of the store where he had worked for over five years.

According to the lawsuit, two masked gunmen entered Hoven's store in Benton Harbor, Mich., before dawn on May 8 when he and three other employees were working.

Hoven tried to call 911. But before he could get through, one of the gunmen -- holding another Walgreens co-worker at gunpoint -- jumped over the pharmacy counter, pointed his weapon at Hoven and began "jerking the gun's trigger," the lawsuit said.

Hoven, who obtained a permit to carry a concealed weapon after the same store was robbed while he worked in 2007, drew his gun and fired several times, prompting the gunmen to flee, according to the lawsuit.

No employees or customers were hurt in the incident. But about a week later, Hoven was fired for violating Walgreens' "non-escalation policy" as well as a policy barring employees from carrying weapons while they work.
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Hoven said he was exercising his right to defend himself and his fellow employees and his right to carry a concealed weapon. He said his firing violates, among other things, his constitutional right to bear arms.

http://www.gazette.com/articles/hoven-124594-store-walgreens.html (http://www.gazette.com/articles/hoven-124594-store-walgreens.html)


I surely do hope he wins.  Maybe then he can get some target practice in.
Title: Re: Fired pharmacist who foiled robbers sues Walgreens
Post by: blackwolfe on September 08, 2011, 04:09:34 PM
This happened in my area, I posted on it originally here:
 http://www.downrange.tv/forum/index.php?topic=16474.msg211472#msg211472

Some of the links in the original post may no longer work.

As far as the lawsuit goes, i hope the pharmacist prevails, but I'm not optimistic.
Title: Re: Fired pharmacist who foiled robbers sues Walgreens
Post by: kmitch200 on September 08, 2011, 04:19:24 PM
But before he could get through, one of the gunmen -- holding another Walgreens co-worker at gunpoint -- jumped over the pharmacy counter, pointed his weapon at Hoven and began "jerking the gun's trigger," the lawsuit said.

No employees or customers were hurt in the incident. But about a week later, Hoven was fired for violating Walgreens' "non-escalation policy" as well as a policy barring employees from carrying weapons while they work.

Doesn't sound like he "esclated" the incident at all.  That ship was already sailing.
I hope he wins the lawsuit but I doubt his odds.
Title: Re: Fired pharmacist who foiled robbers sues Walgreens
Post by: tombogan03884 on September 08, 2011, 04:47:20 PM
If the employee hand book says no guns he's just wasting his money, since he hasn't got a leg to stand on.
Title: Re: Fired pharmacist who foiled robbers sues Walgreens
Post by: Hazcat on September 08, 2011, 04:51:27 PM
If the employee hand book says no guns he's just wasting his money, since he hasn't got a leg to stand on.

Only if they have a SIGNED acknowledgment that he read it.
Title: Re: Fired pharmacist who foiled robbers sues Walgreens
Post by: TAB on September 08, 2011, 06:31:08 PM
Only if they have a SIGNED acknowledgment that he read it.

Even thats a big strech,  I doubt he has a chance in hell of winning, but might be given some money to shut up.  which maybe all the lawyer is after.