Note from Audra: I’ve been hearing rumors about a shooting at the liquor store last week. I know several people who heard the gun shots. A friend forwarded the this article to me yesterday and I must admit, it frightened me. I would be furious if someone were trying to steal something on my watch but to shoot a gun in her general direction in the midst of a busy, thriving shopping center to try and stop her…. Reckless (without thinking or caring about the consequences of an action) is definitely how I would describe Mr. Luu.
SANDY SPRINGS, GA — A package store employee has been charged with reckless conduct after he allegedly fired a gun towards a woman accused of stealing a bottle of liquor from the establishment.
Norcross resident Bryan Bao Luu, 34, was charged with reckless conduct following the shooting, which took place in the parking lot at 2090 Dunwoody Club Drive.
Officers responded to the scene around 8:20 p.m. Oct. 20 and met with Luu and several witnesses who recounted the incident to police.
Witnesses say they saw the alleged shooter, later identified as Luu, yell something to the effect, “You better give it back!” to a woman, according to an incident report released by Sandy Springs police.
Another witness told police he heard gunshots and saw the shooter pointing the firearm downward, but “in the direction” of the woman, the report states.
According to the report, Luu told police he was in the store when the woman came inside, picked up a bottle of liquor and placed the item in her purse.
Luu told police he “stood in front of the exit and confronted her by telling her to put it down when she began to run for the door,” the report goes on to state.
“Luu stated that at this point, he felt scared and he ran to the counter, which was to his right, and retrieved a pistol,” the officer writes. “Luu followed the woman outside the store where he fired several shots in her direction in an attempt to get her to stop.”
The woman, the report notes, fled the scene in a red SUV.
Police placed Luu under arrest and charged him with reckless conduct. Luu’s actions, police say, show he “consciously disregarded a substantial and unjustifiable risk that his act would cause harm or endanger the safety of the many.”
Officers also note several businesses in the area were open at the time and had customers coming and going.
“This disregard constitutes a gross deviation from the standard of care which a reasonable person would exercise in the situation,” the officer said.
First of all, that’s nuts! He felt “scared”? Scared about what? She was a thief, did she brandish a gun in his face? Threaten to dump her vodka on him? Second, that’s right next to yogli mogli with all the kids!! So irresponsible.
I think he put everyone in danger and I will not frequent that store again. It will not keep me from coming to the shopping center or visiting the nearby businesses.
Stealing is not ok but shooting a gun at someone or where there are others present is unacceptable!!!
As the parent of a child who works at the Kroger in the same parking lot, it scares me to think that my soun could have been collecting shopping carts and been an innocent victim of a senseless crime involving a gun. Shop owners, and other gun owners, need to realize that their intended actions can have other serious consequences.
I support local businesses and encourage my friends to do the same. I also support ones right to defend himself from harm. What I do not support is the reckless actions of this business person in our community. I do not know if this was the owner or an employee, but either way, he needlessly put members of our community at risk.
He “consciously disregarded a substantial and unjustifiable risk that his act would cause harm or endanger the safety of the many.”
This was at 8:20 p.m. on a Thursday when there were kids next door at Yogli Mogli and dozens at the other businesses in the shopping center. Really? You’re going to shoot at someone who is running away with a stolen bottle of liquor? I will not welcome him back into our community.
His use of a deadly weapon is inexcusable in this instance. His life was not in danger. Now that there are nearly as many guns as people in our country it’s a sad reality that (some) people who have zero sense are going to be brandishing their guns over trivial things. The gun owners I know are very responsible – sadly, there are also many who are not.
Come on, give this guy a break. He’s a good guy. He and I had many many conversations about anything every time I stopped by. I know there is a lot of opinions out there. However, his gun was registered and he should have a right to protect his assets and himself. From what he and other people told me that he fired a (warning) shot on the ground (NOT at anyone). Therefore, I don’t think that he put anyone in danger. My question for you is that, it’s OK for the officer fire shot to stop someone from running and it’s NOT OK for a citizen to do the same thing?
@ Paul, as far as I heard, she wasn’t running away with the goods. She refused to cooperate and he thought that she might have some kinda weapon in her bag too. Also, there wasn’t any kid outside at the time. Anyways, that’s just my opinion. I will come by there and talk to him more about this incident some time next week.