Impatient City Commissioner Pulls Gun In Checkout Line

[Lucky45]

Rhonda Erskine, Online Content Producer
Created: 1/15/2008 2:19:49 PM
Updated: 1/16/2008 5:11:58 PM

MIRIMAR, FL (NBC) -- A long wait in a supermarket check-out line was too much for one Florida city commissioner to take. Surveillance video showing former Miramar commissioner Fitzroy Salesman pulling out a gun during an argument over the long line was released this week. The confrontation broke out inside a crowded Winn-Dixie on November 21st. The surveillance released by the Broward State Attorney's Office shows Salesman pulling out a gun and pointing it at another customer near the store's front entrance. Other shoppers in the grocery store are seen at a standstill during the confrontation.
The 50-year-old Salesman was standing in line when witnesses said he was irritated by the wait. He reportedly got into an argument with an 18-year-old about being in the express checkout lane. Witnesses said the victim asked if Salesman wanted to take it outside. Instead, Salesman pulled out a .45-caliber handgun.
Salesman's attorney said that his client was defending himself, and because there was no audio on the surveillance released, only one side of the story has been told. Salesman, who has a concealed weapons permit, was charged with aggravated assault with a firearm. Florida Governor Charlie Crist suspended Salesman nearly one month after the incident. The Miramar City Commission approved a special election for March 11 to replace Salesman's seat. If convicted Salesman could face up to five years in prison for the third-degree felony.
NBC

[flb_78]

What a donkey butt!!!

[HighVelocity]

Totally unacceptable behavior.

[Greybeard]

Yep, very poor judgement. Sounds like a bad apple ...

[PAR]

I'm amazed at the number of people who want to go to the gun as their first choice; especially, over a verbal threat.

[DoubleJ]

When all you have is a hammer....

even at the point of, "Chew wanna take eet outside?" he still had options.

I believe you can express displeasure at someone breaking a social norm without instigating a fight, and if the other party attempts to, you can still de-escalate back down to conversation.

but that's just me....

[dihappy]

When all you have is a hammer....

even at the point of, "Chew wanna take eet outside?" he still had options.

Was that your attempt at portraying the teen as a latino guy?

I seriously doubt he sounded anything like that

[srothstein]

You know, I saw this and I have to admit that this is the first time I was glad someone was an elected official. That way the news was about a city councilman. What went through my mind was how it would have been reported if he was not elected.

"Impatient CHL pulls gun in line"

Not what we needed to convince people CHL is a good idea.

[DoubleJ]

When all you have is a hammer....

even at the point of, "Chew wanna take eet outside?" he still had options.

Was that your attempt at portraying the teen as a latino guy?

I seriously doubt he sounded anything like that

no. relax.

[dihappy]

When all you have is a hammer....

even at the point of, "Chew wanna take eet outside?" he still had options.

Was that your attempt at portraying the teen as a latino guy?

I seriously doubt he sounded anything like that

no. relax.

Holy moly, that is the ugliest, and scariest cat ive ever seen

Looks kinda like a cross with a kangaroo :)

[KC5AV]

I've seen that one captioned with, "What do you mean you forgot the chicken nuggets?"

John

[zbordas]

I think the guy is lucky that no other CHL got involved. It could have ended up lot worse for him.