“Just before 5:30 a.m. Monday, employees of the Starbucks in the 1800 block of W. Broad St. called police about a suspicious man outside the store. According to police, the suspect then ran into the business, and attacked the two employees,” nbc12.com reports. “Both baristas sustained facial injuries, with the suspect kicking an officer who arrived on scene. A 65-year-old employee is now facing a difficult recovery from serious injuries, and remains at VCU Medical Center in intensive care. Police reported that the suspect . . .
stole no items or money during the incident, with the Starbucks reopening a short time later.”
Assuming customers waiting for the store to open were observing Starbucks’ CEO Howard Schultz’ request to leave their legally carried guns at home (thank you, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America), knowing that the coffee company doesn’t allow its employees to exercise their natural, civil and Constitutionally protected right to keep and bear arms, we must conclude that this is what happens to a disarmed populace.
Because this is hardly the first time store employees have been attacked by armed robbers. (Hint: Google “armed robbery starbucks.”) While the company might like to sweep it under the rug, the brutal murder of three D.C. area Starbucks’ employees in 1997 hangs like a shadow over the enterprise’s current “no guns” zeal. Anyway, the store responded to yesterday’s attack:
“Our thoughts and prayers are with both of our employees who were hurt, and their family members during this difficult time,” said Starbucks spokesperson Laurel Harper in a phone interview Tuesday. “Safety is always our highest priority, and we are hoping for both of their speedy recoveries.”
If safety is your highest priority, welcoming legally-armed customers and yes, barristas, is your best bet against criminal predation. As it is for all of us. [h/t CR]