Concealed Carry & Home Defense

Store Clerk Takes On Four Armed Robbers, Kills Two, Breaks Up Robbery Ring

Chuck Ross Investigative Reporter
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A Tulsa convenience store clerk took on four masked men during an attempted robbery earlier this week, shooting and killing two and helping bring an end to a serial robbery ring.

The four assailants entered Ryan’s Convenience Store at around 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, according to the Tulsa World. One of the men, 27-year-old Brian Powell, pulled out a handgun and fired a shot upon entrance and demanded money.

But the store clerk did not comply. Instead, he pulled out a semi-automatic pistol and fired it, hitting and killing Powell and 16-year-old Kevin Dobbs.

The two other men involved, 20-year-old Lakeit Thompson and 17-year-old George Williamson, fled the scene but were later arrested and charged with a variety of offenses, including armed robbery and felony murder.

Both Thompson and Williamson have been involved in previous robberies, police said.

Thompson is connected to eight robberies which have occurred since Dec. 7, according to his rap sheet. Williamson has been involved in three robberies.

Lakeit Thompson (Courtesy Tulsa County Inmate Information Center)

The M.O. of the robberies has been the same — masked men enter a store wielding guns and demanding money.

Powell was on probation for a larceny conviction at the time of the failed robbery attempt.

Police recovered two handguns at the scene believed to have been used by the assailants.

The store clerk suffered no injuries. Witnesses backed his version of events, the Tulsa World reported.

Correction: This article initially referred to Ryan’s as a liquor store. It is a convenience store.

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