Dollar Store Robbed for Dollars?

Apparently on 9/4/09 the dollar store, at north salisbury, was entered by no less then eight armed robbery suspects who made off with an amount of cash. Several of the suspects were wearing masks and were armed with either a sawed off shotgun and/or handguns.

The entry of a business with eight persons presents a problem to law enforcement officers in the following ways. Bear these in mind:

1. Eight suspects present a formidable threat. You may be unaware of who is actually armed. If in this situation try to rapidly determine who readily presents an obvious threat (armed). Targeting the wrong suspects and firing may lead to problems if they are in fact not armed.


2. Eight persons entering a store represents a "take over" of that location. An event such as this shows that suspects are becoming substantially bolder in their approach.


3. Carry your firearm off-duty. It is not a bad idea to also carry handcuffs and an extra magazine and always a cell phone.


4. If engaging suspects, remember the secret signal if the police arrive and announce yourself loudly.


5. Watch your background when firing. This includes what's beyond the internal perimeter (i.e. through the glass into the parking lot).


6. Get to a defensible location prior to firing if possible. Defensible locations may include building stanchions or pylons (cover) or racks of products (concealment). Do not confuse cover and concealment.


7. Aim for locations that will cause serious injury to stop the threat. Good locations for engaging targets are head, center mass, and groin.


8. If hit or taking fire, shoot to kill.


9. Do not give up. You are in a fight for your life. It's you or them and you are going to win.


10. Count your rounds if not carrying another magazine. Make your rounds count.


11. Shooting is a perishable skill. Go target shooting once a month if possible. Utilize FATS or simunitions training whenever possible.