Stow man says he was fired after defending Circle K during robbery
A six-year Circle K employee says he was fired after defending himself and a coworker during an attempted robbery in Stow on Nov. 2.
"I've tried to be the best employee I could be, even worked 33 days straight one time. I was just disappointed in the way they handled it. I took the actions I did to protect the lives of everyone," said Kendrick Watson, 41, of Stow.
As Watson worked the night shift at Circle K, at 750 Steels Corner Road, he heard glass breaking while he sat behind the cash register. He said he initially thought a drunk person caused it, but after the second time he heard the noise he realized it wasn't normal and became alarmed.
The robbers rammed into the front of the Circle K multiple times with one of the minivans, destroying the glass entryway and dislodging the ATM inside the store, Stow police said.
When four masked men tried to rush into the store, Watson opened fire on them.
"I didn't feel like my life was in danger until I saw them rushing the store," he said.
He shot at the suspects seven times, Stow police said. The shots struck a gas pump, one of the stolen minivans used in the attempted robbery and a post for the canopy over the pumps.
It is unknown if any of the robbers were injured, police said in a news release.
"I wanted to protect myself, coworkers and the store. After I fired shots, they ran away. The six years I worked there, nothing like that has ever happened. I've never had an argument or anything like that while working the night shift," Watson said.
Watson said his manager contacted him later that day and told him not to come into work.
The incident happened about 3:30 a.m. , according to Stow police.
The suspects abandoned the white minivan they used to ram into the storefront and fled the area in a brown minivan. The minivans were reported stolen from Cleveland.
Ohio 'Stand Your Ground' law
Under Ohio's self-defense law known as the "Stand Your Ground" law, a person is allowed to act in self-defense, defense of another, or defense of that person's residence if someone was not allowed on the property and is forcefully trying to enter.
Stow police took Watson's gun for the investigation, he said, and gave it back to him since he was within his right of self-defense.
Stow police Capt. Bryan Snavely confirmed that Watson will not be charged.
"They (Stow police) were very nice, respectful and did their job. They understood the situation," Watson said.
A person answering the phone at Circle K headquarters in Tempe, Arizona, said no one was available for comment on the incident.
Watson currently has a GoFundMe to help him cover bills and other expenses as he awaits another job following the incident.
Stow police arrested one suspect who fled west on foot near the intersection of Steels Corners Road and Wyoga Lake Boulevard in Cuyahoga Falls, the release said. The 25-year-old Cleveland man, associated with the Heartless Felons Gang, was booked into the Stow City Jail.
He was arraigned at the Stow Municipal Court, and his bond was set at $100,000 in cash. He is being held at the Summit County Jail. He was charged with robbery, receiving stolen property and vandalism.
At least three other suspects escaped in the second stolen minivan. Stow police are attempting to locate the vehicle, a brown 1997 Chrysler Town & Country with the license plate GSR7033.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Stow man says he was fired after defending Circle K during robbery
