http://www.wmcstations.com/Global/story.asp?S=1502242
Posted by: George Metaxas, 10/29/03, Updated 6:20 p.m.
Off-duty officer kills gunman in shootout
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Off-Duty Officer Kills Gunman: Ben Watson
Off-Duty Officer Takes Action: Ben Watson
By Ben Watson
Charges will not be filed against an off-duty Memphis Police officer who fatally shot a man during a standoff. The Shelby County District Attorney’s office says the officer acted in self-defense. The shooting happened at a martial arts school at 3109 Mendenhall. Off-duty Memphis police officer Gregory Sanders shot the gunman 3-times after the gunman shot up the martial arts school and put a gun to the owner’s head.
A busted door, shattered glass and bullet holes at the martial arts school tell the story. Bonnie Ashendorf owns a nearby business, “Oh I think it was terrible.” Neighbors of Memphis Aiki Kai school are still in shock after Jose Arcos fired shots inside the school. “Well from the way I understand it everything happened really fast, the guy came in waving a gun and fired a few shots.”
One student, who goes by the name of Brian, arrived shortly after the shooting. He said off-duty officer Gregory Sanders was at the school taking classes. Sanders is being hailed a hero for stopping the gunman. “The officer definitely saved the day, Memphis finest!”
Witnesses say the shooting happened after Arcos came to the school and tried to make a 15-year old girl leave. Police say the girl ran away from her home in Chicago, and was a family friend of the school’s owner. Arcos left the school, but returned, shooting his way back inside. The school’s owner jumped in between the gunman and the girl. “When good people are threatened or harmed you want to try to do what you can to help.”
Witnesses say before the gunman could hurt anyone, Officer Sanders got a gun from a back office and ordered Arcos to drop his weapon. When Arcos didn’t, Officer Sanders fired shots, killing him.
Police say the teenage girl ran away from her home in Chicago and had traveled with Arcos to Memphis. Investigators say apparently at some point the girl’s parents contacted the school’s owner and asked him to look after the girl until she could be returned to Chicago.