Circle K clerk fires shots after thugs threaten him in store — and sheriff's reaction has folks applauding

A clerk at a Florida Circle K convenience store grabbed a gun and fired shots after a group threatened him early Monday morning — and the Escambia County Sheriff's Office said the clerk won't be facing any charges.

"It just doesn’t seem right to me to make the clerk a felon based upon these circumstances," Sheriff Chip Simmons said in a Tuesday statement regarding the 1:30 a.m. Pensacola Beach incident.

What else did the sheriff's office say?

The sheriff's office said it reviewed video of the altercation inside the convenience store, noting that as many as five people were involved in a disturbance and continued walking in and out of the store, threatening the clerk.

With that the clerk grabbed a handgun, walked outside the store, and fired two rounds, the sheriff's office said.

The individuals involved chose not to press charges, the sheriff's office said, adding that there's nothing contradicting the clerk’s statement about what the five individuals were doing at the time he fired the shots.

The clerk felt threatened by the actions of the group both inside and outside the store, the sheriff's office said, adding that no charges will be brought against the clerk at this time.

What did the video show?

Cellphone video captured the scary incident, during which a group is seen arguing with the clerk behind the counter.

The clerk's main adversary appears to be a shirtless male with facial hair and long, dark, curly hair who hollers at the clerk, "Be a man!"

Image source: YouTube screenshot

With that, the clerk is seen walking toward the exit while carrying a gun — after which shots ring out.

Image source: YouTube screenshot

Shouting is heard outside the store for several seconds, while a number of customers are heard reacting in terror to the situation:

Image source: YouTube screenshot

The clerk is soon heard re-entering the store and saying, "I'm sorry 'bout that, y'all!"

He adds that "I got three kids" and then declares the store "closed" and orders "everybody out."

Here's the clip:

Pensacola Beach Circle K clerk fires shots at group during heated argumentyoutu.be

How are folks reacting?

Monica McGee lives nearby and often goes to the Circle K where the incident went down, WEAR-TV reported.

"It’s often rowdy over here," McGee told the station. "When there are large gangs of people."

McGee added to WEAR that she's observed similar situations at businesses along Pensacola Beach.

"To defend him, this is a constant problem," McGee added to the station. "They do get a lot of harassment. From tourists, or from people not from the area especially. They group and gang up ...”

A number of commenters on the sheriff's office Facebook page applauded the decision to not press charges against the clerk:

• "Yes!!!! THANK you for standing for good sense!" one commenter declared.
• "Good because I know him & he is a cool & laid [back] individual, he literally is a family man & a great father to his kids, I was gonna be upset because they came to his job, threatened him, and he stood his ground!!" another commenter said.
• "And this is why we love Florida and love our police officers," another commenter noted.
• "Thank God we don't live in a woke democratic city where the victims get charged," another commenter wrote. "Good job [sheriff's office]!!"
• "Thank goodness…someone can protect their patrons and society and not be charged," another commenter said. "We need more of this before everyone becomes a victim!"

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