“Police investigate the scene The 71-year-old retired Marine who opened fire on two robbers at a Plantation sub shop late Wednesday, killing one and critically wounding the other, is described as a former pilot for two presidents. John Lovell. “He doesn’t drink, he doesn’t smoke, he works out everyday.” Lovell was a man of action Wednesday night. According to Plantation police, two masked gunmen came into the Subway at 1949 N. Pine Rd. just after 11 p.m. There was a lone diner — Lovell, who was finishing his meal. After robbing the cashier, the two men attempted to shove Lovell into a bathroom and rob him as well. They got his money. But then Lovell pulled his handgun, opened fire, shooting one of the thieves in the head and chest and the other in the head.
When police arrived, they found one of the men in the shop. K-9 units found the other in the bushes of a nearby business. They also found cash strewn around the front of the sandwich shop. Detective Robert Rettig of the Plantation Police Department. Both men were taken to Broward General Medical Center, where one, Donicio Arrindell, 22, of North Lauderdale died. The other, 21-year-old Frederick Gadson of Fort Lauderdale is in critical but stable condition.
White, a longtime friend of Lovell, was not surprised to hear what happened. ”He’d give you the shirt off his back and he’d be mad if someone tried to take the shirt off your back,” he said. White said Lovell worked as a pilot for the Marines, flying former Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. He later worked as a pilot for Pan Am and Delta. Lovell is not married and does not have children. He is not expected to be charged, authorities said. ”He was in fear for his life,” Rettig said. These crimin als ought to realize that most men in their 70’s have military backgrounds and aren’t intimidated by idiots. Something tells me this old Marine wasn’t “in fear” even though his life was definitely at risk. Just waiting. And he better not be charged! More like rewarded.
The only thing he could be charged with is partaking in an unfair fight. One 71 yr young marine against two punks. Two heads and one center body mass shot- good shooting!* Even better would have been to double tap them both. Let’s hope the scumbag in critical condition kicks. That’ll teach them to get between a marine and his meal. If not for U.S. Marines, I would have completely lost hope in America a long time ago.
Don’t you just love a story with a happy ending?
3 responses so far ↓
CDR. A. G. Alexander USN (Ret) // August 21, 2007 at 6:48 am |
I do not feel the least sorry for the “punks”, they should know better.
I flew with the Marines (VMF-514) Nightmares), in Korea and am a member of the Khe Sanh Veterans Association in Vietnam, so I know about the Marines.
joe // August 28, 2007 at 12:57 pm |
If more of us stood up to the punks and exercised our rights to self defense there would be no punks………hear that Obama and Hillary!
CrossView // December 28, 2007 at 5:20 am |
Found you through a Google search. Just had to stop in and say thanks for sharing this! As the wife of a retired Marine I have to say that there’s no place I feel safer than by his side!