South County Journal, Kent, WA, 09/24/02

A Kent, Wash., jewelry store owner decided he'd had enough and wasn't going to take it anymore. Chuck Hohner waited on a customer one Friday for about a half hour when the man said he'd be back on Saturday to make a purchase. When the man returned the next day, the jeweler opened the secured door to let him in. Then the man pulled a revolver and forced Hohner to the back of the store where he tied him up with plastic ties and made him lie face down on the floor. "A pretty vulnerable feeling," said Hohner. "My life was really on the line." The jeweler was able to get his hands free, but waited until the robber was occupied pulling merchandise from the showcases. Then Hohner sprang into action, jumping to his feet, grabbing a shotgun and firing at the robber. The suspect fired four shots at Hohner, but the owner wasn't injured. "I just started letting loose toward the door" as the crook made his way toward the exit, Hohner recounted. "Cock it, shoot it, take a few steps." The robber escaped, but may have been injured. Hohner said he was scared, but could not just lie there. "I come from that old school that says you take care of your family, your property, your neighbors and your country."