Robber fatally shot in Miami Burger King holdup

[7.62 NATO]

A robbery at a Burger King in Miami's Upper East Side neighborhood left one person dead and another seriously injured.

BY ROBERT SAMUELS
rsamuels@MiamiHerald.com

An afternoon shootout at a busy Burger King restaurant in Miami left a potential robber dead and the customer who shot him seriously wounded.

The bloody event unfolded about 4 p.m. Tuesday at the restaurant at Northeast 54th Street and Biscayne Boulevard. It was a time, employees said, when it is usually crowded with schoolchildren and people getting out of work early.

The robber entered wearing a ski mask. He approached a clerk, showed his gun and demanded money, said Miami police spokesman Jeff Giordano.

A customer eyed him and the two started arguing. The customer had a concealed-weapons permit and his gun -- and the two exchanged gunfire.

The robber crumpled to the floor and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The customer, with several gunshot wounds, was in serious but stable condition at Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center.

Officers divided witnesses into several groups outside the restaurant to gather information about the incident. Employees waiting to start their shift called friends and family members on their cellphones to pass the time because they were not allowed through the police tape.

''I just hope all my people are OK inside,'' said Cynthia Thomas, who has worked at the Burger King for five years. ``It is scary.''

Around them, drivers on busy Biscayne Boulevard gawked at the scene.

The area is a prime destination for residents in the Upper East Side neighborhood -- featuring Soyka's restaurant, Sushi Siam and Andiamo Pizza.

Information

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[stonewall56]

Sorry about the customer, serves the robber right.

[Art]

The one thing that never happens in peoples fantasies about gunfights is getting shot themselves. If you engage in a gunfight at close range expect to be shot. It is truly the way to bet.

[GCK]

I think in a situation like that with a lot of kids around he would be better off keeping his gun in his pocket. Let the bum robber take the money and keep the kids safe. If he shot someone during the shootout he may have wound up in jail.

[John L. Lucci]

I think in a situation like that with a lot of kids around he would be better off keeping his gun in his pocket. Let the bum robber take the money and keep the kids safe. If he shot someone during the shootout he may have wound up in jail.

I agree. In fact, in the Texas CHL class they cover this scenario it boils down to not being a hero.

[2571]

Hold the pickle,

Hold the lettuce,

CONcealed carries don't upset us,

But if you're not prepared to pay,

You can't expect to have it your way!

[Rick Gushman]

Gentlemen, I agree. It is foolish to try to stop an armed robber in a crowded establishment. Also, it unfortunately proves a point I frequently try to make - if you are involved in a shoot out, you better have a weapon effective enough to put your adversary down quickly - if he doesn't go down quickly, you might be going to the hospital or the coroner's office yourself. An underpowered weapon gives me no sense of security. Rick

[2571]

I assumed that the hold-up man was about to shoot the citizen for looking at him. Common practice where I live particularly if the HU man is an amateur ; a pro would have picked a time when there would be few people in the place so this kind of thing wouldn't happen to him. Not much you can do if it's you or the gunman.

Finally, screw that guy anyway.

[7.62 NATO]

I think in a situation like that with a lot of kids around he would be better off keeping his gun in his pocket. Let the bum robber take the money and keep the kids safe. If he shot someone during the shootout he may have wound up in jail.

What indicates the robber wasn't intending to shoot customers-workers on the way out? I'd hate to have a opportunity to end the situation then and there. Instead of hesitating and watching a bunch of people get shot.

[smokey]

Knowing how and when to use your piece is not nearly as important as knowing when NOT to use it. It took two people to escalate that situation into a gunfight. But then this is Monday morning q'backing since we wern't there.JMO, Nick