| A Tale of Two Shootings |
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| Written by Jeff Garvas | |
| Friday, 20 October 2006 | |
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Thursday turned out to be a violent day for a postal worker in Canton and a convienence store owner in Cleveland. With their shootings taking place just hours apart, we are reminded that becoming the victim of a violent crime can happen anywhere and at any time. Jennifer Milburn was a 26-year-old United States Postal Worker with just under three weeks on the job. The Canton residents on her route came to know her as an outgoing letter carrier that was genuinely interested in making sure they received their mail. She was shot in the head on Thursday while standing on the porch of a residence. Published news reports state that Canton Police, the FBI, and the US Postal Police have two suspects, aged 19 and 21, in custody for murder and obstruction of justice. It still isn't clear if Milburn was the intended target, a random target, or the victim of unintended consequences. We'll never know if she had a fighting chance. As a postal worker, Milburn likely carried pepper spray to defend herself from potential dog attacks, as United States Postal Service regulations imply that even lawfully carried firearms are prohibited in their building. Milburn was more than likely denied the right to carry a firearm on the job. That wasn't the case for the owner of B&M Food Mart on Cleveland's west side Thursday night. The story played out almost identical to every other convienence store robbery we hear about in Cleveland. Two men walk in with the intent to walk out with money. A shootout ensued between those intent on criminal activity and the man whose livelihood relied upon his ability to defend it. The owner of the convienence store returned fire, reportedly hitting two suspects as they shot at him. The owner was shot in the arm, treated, and released before the evening news. One of his attackers was taken to Metro Health Medical Center, while the second attacker fled the scene after being shot at least once. He is still on the loose, potentially armed, and a threat to society. Northeast Ohio residents who watch the news are seeing a pattern of Cleveland convienence stores being held up at gun point. What they're also seeing is an increasing trend of the people behind the counter shooting back in self-defense after years of watching people just like them die at the hands of desperate criminals. |