BGO Discussion Forum

Akron: Pizza shop owner who defended his store shares his story
Posted By: 1 day ago

AKRON -- Pizza shop owner Johnny Hayes not only had a legal right to defend himself and his business with lethal force, he felt an obligation to defend his staff and customers.

Still, life after this death has not been easy.

Each day since has become an emotional gut check over what can't be undone.

Some police officers work a whole career without firing their weapon, but after just two years of owning a 9mm handgun, Hayes killed a man with it.

"I live thinking about it every day. I am still concerned for my well being more so then ever, my employees and my family," Hayes said.

"I shot and killed a guy. I don't feel good about it."

Last March Hayes was filling an order when someone stepped through the front door.

"I heard, 'This is (expletive) robbery.' I turned and there was a guy in an orange ski mask," Hayes said.

Behind the mask was 20-year-old Patrick Finney.

"You got to assume when a guy puts a shotgun to your head he's going to shoot ya," Hayes said.

The suspect was distracted by the money and Hayes pulled his concealed weapon, firing seven times. Bullet impressions remain in the door frame.

"It seemed very surreal and almost fake at the time," Hayes said.

Finney ran from the shop and collapsed 100 yards down the street.

The pizza shop owner defended his life and his cash, but business has since suffered. It's down 80 percent.

"We've slowed down. We lost a lot of our core customers in the neighborhood," Hayes said.

He is getting on with it. He remains optimistic and armed.

"I just want to live, work and enjoy my life. If you want something from me, ask, don't come in with a gun and try to take it," Hayes said.

Hayes does have a concealed carry permit for his weapon, although it was not required since he was in his own establishment.

Hayes said he got the license and weapon in 2007 after his friend told him about chasing off a home invader.

This was the first time he ever had to use it.
© 2009 WKYC-TV

I spoke to this gentleman after the shooting. A bunch of members from Ohioans For Concealed Carry visited his shop to buy lots of pizzas and to show some support.

That was his only pistol, so of course it was taken for evidence. Some one was nice enough to give him another firearm just in case the perp's "boys" came back. They also donated some defensive ammo as well. He open carriers in the shop. I believe the gun they donated was a Ruger SR-9. The bullet holes were still in the glass when I stopped by.

The perp has a myspace page. I saw it and read some of the silly comments that were posted after his unfortunate demise. you gotta make careful decisions in life. The decision to commit an armed robbery cost this young man his life. He wont even see 30 now.

5P, that was a really nice thing to go and support this gentleman. This is the type of stuff our BGO family is all about. I wish I could have been there with you guys just to show support but since you're apart of the BGO family you represent us all and we thank you for that.

perfect example for why there is a need for ccw's, this was also one factor why i decided to upgrade from a 9mm to a .45 because the guy was able to leave the shop. that happened about 4 or 5 blocks away from my house


nasty food though