Violent Serial robber killed during robbery attempt

Originally ran here as:
"Worker kills teen in apparent hold up attempt"
Time-Picayune/NOLA.com
July 21, 2001

SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) -- A Shreveport teen-ager died from a gunshot wound after exchanging gunfire with a hardware store worker during a botched robbery attempt.

The employee of The Tool House fired one shot with a .357-caliber revolver, hitting Diandre Lias in the chest, Shreveport Police Detective Russell Ross said. Lias, 19, died about an hour later at LSU Hospital in Shreveport Friday evening.

No charges were filed against the employee, who was not identified. The case will be turned over to the district attorney's office after detectives finish their investigation, Ross said.

"I believe (the employee) did the right thing," Nick Shihadeh, manager of the nearby Triple JJJ store. "(If) someone tries to take your money or your life, that's it."

Lias was wanted on a warrant for attempted murder. He allegedly shot a man in the stomach May 9.

Lias was arrested in January and charged with the Dec. 6 robbery of a Shreveport video store. Detectives said he was also a suspect in other armed robberies.

Police said Lias walked in The Tool House wearing a blue bandanna over the lower part of his face and armed with a .38-caliber revolver. He cocked the gun and threatened three employees and one customer, Ross said.

The employee and Lias both fired once, Ross said.

Lias "didn't even make it in the store very far," Ross said. "He was just inside the door."

Lias was picked up nearby by two acquaintances in a car, who drove him to the hospital. Ross said the two men could face criminal charges if they dropped the teen-ager off knowing he knew he was going to try to rob the business.

NOTICE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed, without profit, for research or educational purposes. We do our best, as well, to give credit to the original news source who published these Guns Save Lives stories out of respect and appreciation for their willingness to spread the word that Guns Save Lives -- and when an original link is available, we ALWAYS send all our visitors to read the original article on the original site where it was posted. God Bless the Americans that publish these stories - for assisting Americans in hearing the truth about guns saving lives.