Ohio Prosecutor Warns Robbers Should ‘Expect To Be Shot’ After Store Manager Charged in Killing
Hamilton County prosecutor Melissa Powers recently issued a stern warning to potential robbers in Ohio, stating they should “expect to be shot” if they target retail stores.
This statement followed the indictment of Tony Thacker, the manager of VIP Smoke Shop in Delhi Township, who faces charges related to the fatal shooting of a teenager during an attempted robbery at his store.
On October 20, Thacker, who resided in the back of the smoke shop, confronted several suspects who had broken into the store by throwing rocks through the windows. Armed with a firearm, Thacker fired multiple shots at the intruders, including 16-year-old Travis Johnson, who was fatally wounded while attempting to flee in a stolen vehicle.
The prosecutor’s office announced that a grand jury indicted Thacker on eight counts, including five counts of felonious assault, tampering with evidence and two counts of having weapons under disability, as he was not legally permitted to possess a firearm due to a previous felony juvenile adjudication.
“There is simply no justification for shooting at someone as they are running away,” Powers said. “However, I want to make perfectly clear — these retail thefts will not be tolerated. If you try to rob a store, you should expect to be shot.”
Delhi Township Police Chief Jeff Braun commented on the incident, noting the right to self-defense in cases of home or business intrusion. However, he pointed out the complexity of claiming self-defense when a suspect is fleeing.
In addition to Thacker, the prosecutor’s office indicted 19-year-old Amontae Carter, who was involved in the robbery. Carter faces two counts of murder, two counts of burglary and one count of possession of criminal tools. If convicted, he could receive a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 15 years.
The aftermath of the shooting saw Thacker and his 21-year-old brother Malachi attempting to disable the store’s security system and remove shell casings. Malachi Thacker was indicted for two counts of tampering with evidence.
Following the incident, authorities also arrested three teenagers, two males aged 15 and 17 and a 16-year-old female, on murder and burglary charges related to the robbery. They were not directly involved in Johnson’s death but face additional charges for stolen property.
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If you break into ANY home or Business you should expect to get shot. Beaten down coming in or going out!!!!!! You should have thought of certain death when you destroyed others property……. If ur shot in the back!!!!!! Well you should not have been a coward and stood there and taken ur medicine good there and taken it… liken it like the man you thought you were….. no charges should haven been filed…….