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Elderly Man Shoots Robbers at Internet Cafe: Real Life Vigilante

by Emily Sutherlin | July 19, 2012 at 01:22 pm

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Surveillance cameras captured a botched robbery that ended with both of the armed men shot, but not killed, by a 71-year-old elderly man named Samuel Williams.

Two teens tried to rob customers inside, but Samuel Williams fought back.

The Marion County Sheriff's Office said two teens tried to rob the customers inside Palm Internet Cafe, but one man wasn't having it. In the video below, you can see 71-year-old Samuel Williams fighting back.

Williams was one of about 30 customers in the Palm Internet Cafe when the two suspects walked in. Because of him, everyone inside was safe. Those armed teens, one with a gun and one with a bat, were chased out the door. Both of them were shot.

"After he started firing, they took off,” sheriff's office spokesman Judge Cochran said. “They fell on top of each other trying to get out of the café."

Davis Dawkins, 19, and Duwayne Henderson, 19, stopped by the hospital on their way to jail.

Both face charges of attempted robbery with a firearm and felony criminal mischief. Dawkins was released from jail Sunday on $11,000 bond, while Henderson was released Tuesday on $31,000 bond, according to the Marion County Sheriff's Office.

1 See all footage | View Slideshow

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"thirty-aught-six" (not verified)

at 15:02 on July 19th, 2012

Emily, your use of the word vigilante misleads the reader to actual events as they took place. Samuel Williams was not acting as a vigilante. Samuel Williams did not instigate the events. We have a inalienable right to protect ourselves and property, and from becoming a victim of violence and other crimes.

Mark Yelka (not verified)

at 03:37 on July 23rd, 2012

Yup... not a vigilante. You're in the journalism business. Here's the dictionary definition of vigilante. As the law specifically allowed the response that Williams gave, you cannot properly use the word "vigilante" to describe Williams. How about "hero"?vigilante: any person who takes the law into his or her own hands, as by avenging a crime.

Mark Yelka (not verified)

at 03:42 on July 23rd, 2012

Another dictionary definition (Merriam-Webster). Again, as Williams acted within the law, the word vigilante is inappropriate and it's use may be interpreted as journalistic bias.vigilante : a member of a volunteer committee organized to suppress and punish crime summarily (as when the processes of law are viewed as inadequate); broadly : a self-appointed doer of justice