rustoffa
05-30-2006, 11:06 PM
Victim Fights Back, Kills Robber
ATLANTA -- Five robbers picked the wrong victim in Midtown Atlanta last night and one of them paid with her life.
The victim, Thomas Autry, fought back; killing one robber and wounding another. Three other suspects are in jail.
Autry was walking to his girlfriend's home after getting off work as a waiter at Jocks and Jills.
The five suspects pulled up in a car and confronted the victim in the 500 block of Penn Street just before midnight.
Autry began running down the street yelling for help. Residents who heard him called 911. While he was running, Autry pulled a pocket knife from his backpack.
Two of the robbers jumped from the car. When one of the robbers pointed a shotgun at him, the Autry kicked it out of his hands.
At that point two of the robbers jumped on the victim. During the struggle he stabbed both of them. One, a 17-year-old female who has been identified as Amy Martin, died of her wounds. Officials say Martin was pregnant. A second is in critical condition.
Amy's mother, Alesher Zeigler, says, "She was trying to fit in... and this new boyfriend she was with he just totally changed her, totally changed her." Zeigler says Amy's boyfriend was also involved in the robbery.
Police arrived on the scene and with a description of the car; they quickly arrested the three other suspects.
Other suspects arrested were identified as Christopher Daniel, 19, of Atlanta; Kendall Barksdale, 18, of Atlanta; Christopher Hayes, 18, of Douglasville and a 16-year-old male juvenile. They will all be charged with aggravated assault and armed robbery.
Thomas Autry, who is a former U.S. Marine, will not be charged since police say he was acting in self defense. Officials say Autry is extremely remorseful.
Autry "...just trying to protect myself. I'm sorry."
ATLANTA -- Five robbers picked the wrong victim in Midtown Atlanta last night and one of them paid with her life.
The victim, Thomas Autry, fought back; killing one robber and wounding another. Three other suspects are in jail.
Autry was walking to his girlfriend's home after getting off work as a waiter at Jocks and Jills.
The five suspects pulled up in a car and confronted the victim in the 500 block of Penn Street just before midnight.
Autry began running down the street yelling for help. Residents who heard him called 911. While he was running, Autry pulled a pocket knife from his backpack.
Two of the robbers jumped from the car. When one of the robbers pointed a shotgun at him, the Autry kicked it out of his hands.
At that point two of the robbers jumped on the victim. During the struggle he stabbed both of them. One, a 17-year-old female who has been identified as Amy Martin, died of her wounds. Officials say Martin was pregnant. A second is in critical condition.
Amy's mother, Alesher Zeigler, says, "She was trying to fit in... and this new boyfriend she was with he just totally changed her, totally changed her." Zeigler says Amy's boyfriend was also involved in the robbery.
Police arrived on the scene and with a description of the car; they quickly arrested the three other suspects.
Other suspects arrested were identified as Christopher Daniel, 19, of Atlanta; Kendall Barksdale, 18, of Atlanta; Christopher Hayes, 18, of Douglasville and a 16-year-old male juvenile. They will all be charged with aggravated assault and armed robbery.
Thomas Autry, who is a former U.S. Marine, will not be charged since police say he was acting in self defense. Officials say Autry is extremely remorseful.
Autry "...just trying to protect myself. I'm sorry."