Ohio prosecutor warns robbers should 'expect to be shot' after store manager charged in killing

An Ohio county prosecutor warned thieves they should "expect to be shot" when targeting retail stores after a smoke shop manager was indicted for shooting at burglars at his store.

Thacker, 29, who lived in the back of the smoke shop, emerged from the area just after 1 a.m. on Oct. 20 with a firearm and allegedly shot at a number of suspects who broke into the store by throwing rocks through the windows to gain entry. He fired off multiple shots at the would-be robbers, including 16-year-old Travis Johnson, who was fatally wounded while trying to flee the scene in a stolen vehicle, according to the news release. Brandon Drey is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.

"There is simply no justification for shooting at someone as they are running away," Powers said. "However, I want to make perfectly clear — these retail thefts will not be tolerated. If you try to rob a store, you should expect to be shot."

The prosecutor's office said Thacker then ran to the front of the store and continued to shoot through the front door at the remaining suspects, including 19-year-old Amontae Carter, as he was seated in the back of one of the stolen cars.