Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, December 27, 1994 TAG: 9412280024
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C2 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
Baker, owner of Beverly Hills Jewelers in Henrico County, said he's heard from customers, strangers, clergymen and police officers. Even Gov. George Allen told him he did the right thing, Baker said.
``Things like that have really helped our crew get over the stress we were under. The support has been great.''
He said the store received about 30 flower arrangements - so many he had to start sending some of them home with employees. Cards and letters have numbered in the hundreds, Baker said. All have been supportive.
Different ministers have been calling and saying, 'Christian, in a situation like that,turn the cheek doesn't apply.'" Baker said.
While police officially don't recommend merchants arming themselves, Baker said several street cops have dropped by to congratulate him for defending himself, his business and his employees. ``One even offered to replace the ammunition we used up.''
Allen explained the widespread support for Baker and his brother Charlie this way. ``I think the reason there's a great deal of sentiment in support of the folks at this particular store is that for once, the victims fought back and the good guys won. This is what to some extent cheers the hearts of law-abiding citizens.''
Bob Williams, a salesman at the jewelry store, said Allen expressed his support in a recent visit. ``He said the actions we took were the right thing,'' Williams said.
However, Allen said he is making no recommendations on whether other merchants follow Baker's example. He said it is up to each individual store to determine its security policy, and those choosing to keep guns should make sure employees are properly trained.
Baker agreed. ``I'm not saying go out and arm yourself, but if you do, get training and know what to do. That's where people go wrong,'' he said.
The closest the state has ever come to looking at workplace safety is a 1992 study of convenience-store robberies. A report by the Department of Criminal Justice Services listed several actions stores can take, ranging from better lighting to keeping more than one clerk on duty. Nowhere did it mention keeping firearms.
Such recommendations would not have had any effect in the Beverly Hills Jewelers incident, in broad daylight while several people were in the store.
Baker said he has no remorse for the killings because he believes he had no other choice. He said he does not consider himself a hero.
``I did what I did to save myself and save my employees. I wouldn't want it to happen again.''
Memo: shorter version ran in the Metro edition.