One of the retired Marines that I work with, a gentleman just a few years younger than the hero in the following news account, sent this to me. And, just like the former-Marine in this story, I’d want no part of tangling with my 66-year old Marine colleague — whom I’m sure is still more-than-capable of stomping a hole in men half his age:
Plantation, Florida: Last week police were called to investigate an attempted armed robbery: The 71-year-old retired Marine who opened fire on two robbers at a Plantation, Florida, Subway shop late Wednesday, killing one and critically wounding the other, is described as John Lovell, a former helicopter pilot for two presidents. He doesn’t drink, he doesn’t smoke, and he works out every day. Mr. Lovell was a man of action Wednesday night.
According to Plantation police, two masked gunmen came into the Subway at 1949 N. Pine Rd. just after 11 p.m. There was a lone diner, Mr. Lovell, who was finishing his meal. After robbing the cashier, the two men attempted to shove Mr. Lovell into a bathroom and rob him as well. They got his money, but then Mr. Lovell pulled his handgun and opened fire. He shot one of the thieves in the head and chest and the other in the head.
When police arrived, they found one of the men in the shop, K-9 Units found the other in the bushes of a nearby business. They also found cash strewn around the front of the sandwich shop according to Detective Robert Rettig of the Plantation Police Department..
Both men were taken to the Broward General Medical Center , where one, Donicio Arrindell, 22, of North Lauderdale died. The other, 21-year-old Frederick Gadson of Fort Lauderdale is in critical but stable condition.
A longtime friend of Lovell was not surprised to hear what happened. The friend said, ”He’d give you the shirt off his back, but he’d be mad as hell if someone tried to take the shirt off his back.”
Mr. Lovell was a pilot in the Marine Corps, flying former Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. He later worked as a pilot for Pan Am and Delta Airlines.
He is not expected to be charged authorities said. ”He was in fear for his life,” Detective Rettig said, “These criminals ought to realize that most men in their 70′s have military backgrounds and aren’t intimidated by idiots.”
Something tells me this old Marine wasn’t ‘in fear for his life’, even though his life was definitely at risk. The only thing he could be charged with is participating in an unfair fight. One 71- year young Marine against two punks. Two head shots and one center body mass shot… Outstanding shooting! That’ll teach them not to get between a Marine and his meal.
Florida law allows eligible citizens to carry a concealed weapon. Don’t you just love a story with a happy ending?
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Fantastic story! Thank you for sharing!
Having a marine husband, I am blessed in so many ways and definitely feel safe!!
I’m so proud of the service he gave to our country, his patriotism, valor, and all of the wonderful qualities the Marine Corps taught him.
God Bless our military!
And this wonderful Marine in this story. I am thrilled the authorities will defend and protect him for defending his life.
Good job, Marine.
Not only did you protect your self against these worthless punks, you spared society from having to do so in the future.
Some consider marksmanship a perishable skill. I disagree, but practice anyway. If true, then this well seasoned Marine vet has been training. Something these arrogant punks no nothing about.
I was considering making a post about another story involving a Marine, but I don’t have the time to do it justice, so will just post the sad story from the original article.
Marine Murdered Defending His Wife In French Quarter.
God Bless him, his family and friends, and his wife.
Such a tragedy
.
They should get the death penalty.
My heart goes out to his family.
May God Bless him for his wonderful contribution to our country and may he rest in peace.
Great story – too bad both robbers did not die.
MER – agreed.
The 2 fools who tried to rob that marine didn’t know he was a marine….but it was still incredibly stupid.
Along the lines of stupid criminals…my husband was reading about stupid criminals online and told me the other day “In the early 90′s these 2 guys tried to mug Chuck Norris….” Before he could say more I started laughing. These 2 idiots thought, when Walker Texas Ranger first went on the air, that the martial arts in the show were fake and that Chuch Norris didn’t know any martial arts. Naturally, they got their asses handed to them and Chuck held onto them till the cops could get there.
That sounds as stupid as trying to hold up a gun store.
Oh, man.
Didn’t those idiots ever watch any old Bruce Lee movies?
If they had, they would have known Chuck was a multiple world karate champion.
I hadn’t read any of the comments here before posting.
no2liberals, I saw that story the other day about that marine who was murdered in New Orleans.
That was horrible.
Truly sad.
Soooo great!
As a cop, I thank you, sir, for removing a couple of dirtbags from the population.
You made the world a better place with your actions and I salute you.
Retired Marine John Lovell is the type of guy that needs to tell people how to protect yourself. He got rids of two worthless piss ants and pieces of crap off the street. With the increasing crime in this country, we should ALL be carrying weapons for protection and maybe gang members and others will think twice before trying to rob someone. Don’t give these punks a 2nd chance of they try and rob you, SHOOT to KILL