A 7-Eleven clerk in Flagler Beach, Fla., manhandled an armed robber through the doors and into police custody — and was fired three days later for breaking company policy that dissuades self-defense in the face of confrontation.
“He pulls [what] looks like a gun out of his waistband and he pointed it right at my forehead,” the former clerk, Edward Vaught, told local television station WESH-TV. “I thought I was in serious mortal danger. This man wants to hurt me so I need to defend myself.”
Mr. Vaught fought the suspect, Christopher Munson, 31, driving him from the store and detaining him until police arrived. He was subsequently hailed as a hero, especially by a co-worker who was in the store at the time of the incident.
But 7-Eleven officials didn’t see it that way. A few days days later, Mr. Vaught was dismissed.
In a statement, the company said the firing was necessary because “the employee’s action violated our policy of non-confrontation and posed a danger to himself and a coworker,” WESH-TV reported.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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