Alabama pharmacist who took gun from robber, saved hostages hailed as hero

[jnelsoninjax]

The four employees inside Redmont Pharmacy in Red Bay thought it would be an ordinary day when they went into work that morning. That changed when an armed man walked in and took them hostage. Not only are they all safe, but they are praising their colleague who came to their rescue from the inside.

Pharmacy owner J.C. Weeks described what happened, which he witnessed from the outside among a large and intense police presence. He said a man familiar to the pharmacy walked in at about 8:30 a.m. The four employees and a customer were inside while he was en route to work. Weeks learned upon arrival the man had a shotgun and was keeping all five hostage and demanding drugs.

Police identified the hostage-taker as Christopher Trail. Weeks said he had been in the pharmacy in the past but no one had seen him in a while.

Weeks said Trail forced everyone into a back room but eventually let out the pharmacist in a continuing attempt to get drugs. This pharmacist was Donna Weatherford. Weeks said she talked Trail into letting the others go while she stayed behind as the sole hostage. Trail agreed.

After about an hour, Trail began tiring out, Weeks said. He said the man then asked for a recliner. There wasn't one in the store so he pulled some chairs together, laid down and dozed off. Weatherford then picked up the shotgun and fled outside.

Police then arrested Trail. It was close to 10 a.m. by that time.

"There's no higher praise for Donna. She kept a cool head and kept him calm as it escalated," Weeks said.

Weatherford was not available for interviews immediately, her boss said.

Red Bay police could not disclose Trail's charges Tuesday night. Those will become available after his transfer to the Franklin County Jail, which police expect to happen on Wednesday.

Source

[DocM]

Good job!!