Pizza shop owner's life changed forever after fatal shooting

May 15, 6:36 AMCleveland Gun Rights ExaminerDaniel White

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Akron pizza shop owner Johnny Hayes found himself staring down the barrel of a shotgun a few weeks ago. This fourth robbery of his shop would be different than the others. Hayes countered Patrick Finney's shotgun with his own pistol, and Finney did not survive his attempt at armed robbery.

Wednesday, he opened up to WKYC news about the incident.

"I live thinking about it every day. I am still concerned for my well being more so then ever, my employees and my family," Hayes said.

"I shot and killed a guy. I don't feel good about it."

In addition to the daily emotional gut check over what occurred, Hayes reports other negative effects of the robbery as well. Business at his store has dropped off 80%. Part of this could be due to the publicity revealing the shop had been robbed four times in the last two years, indicating it isn't located in the safest neighborhood. Part of it could also be due to the kind of change in perception Massad Ayoob describes in his book In The Gravest Extreme. Regardless of how justified a self-defense shooting may be, some people can't get passed the fact that you took another life.

Most of us understand the "it's either them or me" dilemma, and most of us would pick "me" in that scenario. But, it can be hard for others to keep from having a changed perspective when it happens to someone else. It can be just as hard for the shooter as well, evidenced by the fact that many who engage in justifiable self defense, including trained soldiers and police officers, seek counseling to help deal with the aftermath.

Still, Hayes remains armed and is trying to move on. "I just want to live, work and enjoy my life. If you want something from me, ask, don't come in with a gun and try to take it."

As an interesting side note, I'm told the WKYC article included the phrase "vigilante justice" in the title when it was originally published. I'm glad they saw the light and changed it. Being attacked by an armed robber and threatened with imminent death does not make you a vigilante if you meet that threat with deadly force.