| 69-Year-Old Fires Back |
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| Written by Matt Cush | |
| Thursday, 20 April 2006 | |
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It didn't happen here in Ohio, and I hope it never does, but it is a testament to the older generation, and a statement to the bad guys. Just because a person is nearing 70 years old, it certainly doesn't make them an easy victim, because this one has a concealed carry permit, a handgun and he isn't afraid to put it to use. There is now one perplexed and scared bad guy in Florida to prove it. In a Sun-Sentinel story I read today, you will not find any anti's feeling sorry for the perpetrator, only praise and vindication for the 69 year old pizza shop owner, Francesco "Franco" D'Arpino. The family's North Miami Beach business, Franco's Pizza, was wiped out by the hurricane and with no insurance help had an uphill battle in getting back on their feet, and apparently just in time for would be thieves to try to kill, and rob him. Police feel he was profiled, being a business owner and possibly carrying the night's receipts with him. "Francesco (Franco) D'Arpino, a pulled into his garage at about 5:10 a.m. after working the night shift in his restaurant, when police say a white car rammed into the back of his car and someone opened fire. A bullet grazed D'Arpinos cheek. He grabbed his gun, which he keeps on him, and shot back driving off the attackers." From the story line above, the man, in his car, in his garage gets rammed from behind then bullets start flying. No give me your money, no nothing. They clearly would kill first then take money. Needless to say Franco's wife was in the house at this time and was in grave danger herself, had her husband not reacted. "I heard shots, then more shots", his wife stated. "I was afraid to look out my window. I heard shots hit the house." The neighbors didn't know what was more surprising, the violent attempted robbing, or D'Arpino shooting back. "I'd like to thank him for standing up for the rest of the neighbors", said Eric Jostad who lives a few doors down. "We didn't know what it was. You say 'Nah it can't be gunshots" Mr. D'Alpino was in stable condition in a local hospital for the wound to his cheek, and his wife was taken in as well for observation. |