Diner Owner Shoots Armed Robbers

  by Erin O'Hearn, David Henry, Matt O'Donnell, Corey Herman and Bob Monek

WEST OAK LANE - March 8, 2007 (WPVI) -- A diner owner turned the tables on two would-be robbers on Thursday, killing one and wounding the other.

"Self defense, self defense," said Jason Lee. "I did what I had to do."

Lee said he was defending his own life and the lives of his wife and co-worker. Early Thursday morning two masked gunman barged into the Sunrise Breakfast Shop in West Oak Lane demanding cash.

One of the men fired. Lee, who keeps a gun under the counter, fired back, killing 20-year-old Cornell Toombs and wounding 24-year-old Gary Williams.

"I was just waiting for the chance and when they paid attention to the two ladies to open the cash register, I shoot him (Toombs) in the head," said Lee.

"At that point, the second bandit (Williams) opened fire on the owner. He got off a couple shots and the owner returned fire, striking (Williams)," said Chief Inspector Joseph Fox.

Williams fled the store injured and bleeding. Cell phone video taken by a bystander shows Lee chasing after him.

"I beat him down. He tried to get up while he was bleeding and I pushed him down. I waved my hand to people saying 'call police, call police,'" he said.

Investigators said it appears to be a case of justified self-defense.

A visibly shaken Lee confirmed to Action News this incident was not the first time he had a shoot-out with robbers.

In 1993, Lee killed one thief and injured another when they tried to rob at his store on 68th and Broad Streets.

Lee, who was 30 years old then, was not charged.

Merchants along Washington Lane told Action News at times, it seems criminals hold the neighborhood hostage. While they are saddened a young man was killed, they know Lee had no other option.

"Times are hard and money is hard to come by, so you're not going to come in and let people rob you," said Joe Dunston.

The wounded gunman, Gary Williams, remained in the hospital Thursday night. Police said it is unlikely that Lee will face any charges.

(Copyright 2007 by 6abc and Action News. All rights reserved.)

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