Prosecutor: Carryout clerk shot robber 30 times - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

Prosecutors say a carryout clerk shot a robbery suspect 30 times and killed him. Monday the trial of the clerk accused of the crime got underway. 28-year-old Bandar Abu-Karsh is charged with voluntary manslaughter.

In opening statements. The prosecutor said the clerk crossed the line when he grabbed the suspects weapon and shot the suspect multiple times.

Prosecutors say Bandar Abu-Karsh had no choice but to grab the store gun and shoot robbery suspect Lamar Allen. But the question jurors will have decide was it self defense or a crime.

"They come in put the clerk on his knees they're pointing guns at him they're checking him for weapons," said prosecutor Tim Braun.

Prosecutors say last year Lamar Allen and Joseph Hunter went into the Express Carryout and committed robbery.

Prosecutors say a witness walked in to buy her fiance' a pop

"Joe Hunter sees her he tries to rob her wants her money forces her into the rear rest area," said the prosecutor.

Prosecutors say Lamar Allen was carrying this tec-9 semi-automatic handgun. They say Allen put down his gun to steal items.

"Bandar reaches under counter pulls out a 45 and fires one shot comes up off his knees he's holding the gun like this he shoots," said Braun.   

They say he shot Allen in the head close range, but they say it wasn't that shot that killed Allen. The other suspect Joseph Hunter hears the shots and shoots at the clerk then runs out of the store.

"He goes to the front door comes back around the counter and empties the tec 9 into the body of Lamar Allen. He shoots him about 25 more times close range standing over the body and shooting until the weapon runs dry then he starts kicking and hitting him with the weapon," said the prosecutor.

Bandar Abu-Karsh lawyer calls his clients behavior justified. He says his client's life was in danger and he had no idea who was shooting at him.

"But again that's not Bandar's gun that Lamar's gun and it is approximately ten seconds after he was just shot at from and unknown direction from and unknown person two minutes of terror and 20 seconds of action. The evidence will show the 20 seconds will show its 20 seconds of justified behavior," said Defense Lawyer John McMahon.