Oklahoma City pharmacist charged with murder for killing armed robber

May 29, 5:17 AMNorfolk Crime ExaminerDave Gibson

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Jerome Ersland

On Thursday, pharmacist Jerome Ersland was freed on a $100,000 bond, after Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater charged him with first-degree murder. On May 19, Ersland shot and killed Antwun Parker, 16, while parker and two other accomplices attempted to rob the Reliable Discount Pharmacy.

The charges allege that Ersland shot Parker five times in the abdomen, while Paker was lying on his back and incapacitated. The prosecutor claims that the robber no longer presented a threat because Ersland had already shot Parker once in the head and was supposedly unconscious. .

Ersland claims that he continued to shoot at Parker because was getting back up, and feared for his life.

One of the conditions of Ersland’s bail is that he have no access to firearms. In a strange turn of events, District Attorney Prater argued that if Ersland goes back to work at the pharmacy, he should be allowed to arm himself.

Prater told the court: “I worry about his safety. He’s already had threats. I worry about his safety, being at work without a weapon.”

However, the judge disagreed and demanded that Ersland remained unarmed until the case is decided.

Shortly after Ersland killed Parker, an angry black mob gathered outside the pharmacy, shouting profanities and threats at Ersland. The 57-year-old Gulf War veteran has reportedly received several threats since the shooting.

Ersland’s attorney, Irven Box maintains that Ersland only acted in self defense and claims that no jury will ever convict his client of murder.

Also on Thursday, police arrested 14-year-old Jevontia Ingram who is an alleged accomplice in the attempted robbery. Ingram is now in a juvenile detention facility.

Also in custody, is the alleged get-away driver, 32-year-old Emanuel Dewayne Mitchell. Ersland ran outside in pursuit of one of the armed robbers and pointed his gun at Mitchell, at which time Mitchell sped away, and actually wrecked the silver Honda he was driving. Police arrested Mitchell shortly thereafter, and discovered that the car was stolen.

Mitchell is a convicted armed robber and kidnapper.

*Reporter’s note: I find it outrageous that Mr. Ersland has been charged with murder. This man was suddenly faced with two armed thugs bursting into his place of business, demanding money and drugs. There were two young women working in the pharmacy at the time as well. Ersland was immediately charged with the task of defending himself and his two employees.

How could Ersland know if Parker had another gun in his waistband or behind his back? He was completely on his own and did not have the luxury of relying on the police to defend him (most of whom would have undoubtedly taken the same action).

The bottom line is this, Ersland saved his own life and the lives of two others, while killing a violent thug. Antwun Parker could have saved his own life, had he not decided to stick a gun in someone’s face and try to take that which was not his.

The district attorney is undoubtedly trying to score points with Oklahoma County’s black voters, many of whom have tried to paint this shooting as racially motivated.