Tallahassee hemp store owner says fatal shooting was 'out of self defense' during robbery
An owner of the Florida Hemp Distribution store, which became the scene of a homicide investigation Friday, says the fatal shooting was "out of self defense" during an attempted robbery.
In the hours after Hurricane Helene passed through, the Tallahassee Police Department responded to a shooting at the hemp store located at 220 West Tennessee Street just before 6 p.m.
Co-owner Alex Petrick said two men entered the store and approached the only employee working at the time, forcing the employee to pull out his firearm.
The employee ordered the men to leave.
"Leave, leave. Don't make me do this," the employee told the would-be robbers, according to Petrick.
Petrick said the suspect continued to advance toward him until the employee's back was against the wall and he fired.
Petrick said no other customers or employees were present, and the other man who entered with the suspect fled as soon as he saw the gun.
TPD questioned the employee but released him after several hours, according to Petrick. No charges were brought, he said.
TPD couldn't confirm the details Petrick provided to the Tallahassee Democrat, but TPD spokesperson Heather Merritt said interviews are still being conducted with all involved parties and it's still an open and active investigation.
Breaking & trending news reporter Elena Barrera can be reached at ebarrera@tallahassee.com. Follow her on X: @elenabarreraaa.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee hemp store homicide: Owner says shooting was self-defense
