LAS VEGAS, NEVADA — A store clerk has taken a plea deal that will allow him to avoid murder charges for his shooting and killing of a 13-year-old shoplifter at a smoke shop.
The incident is reported to have happened as follows:
According to court documents, on Oct. 2, during Sunna’s arraignment hearing, the 24-year-old pled guilty to a lesser charge of aiming a firearm at a human being.
Metro Police said Sunna shot and killed Fabriccio Patti on Dec. 2, 2016, after he allegedly attempted to steal merchandise from the Lucky’s Cigar & Smokes on Flamingo Road near Durango Drive.
An arrest report said, on the night of the shooting, Sunna called the police and waited outside for them to arrive. He told police one of the teens ran towards him, and he drew his firearm and began shooting, the report said.
Sunna told police that he feared for his life, and that’s why he opened fire on the boy. An autopsy would later show that the boy was shot in the back. The teens were also unarmed, according to police.
In an instance of shoplifting, it’s never a good idea to draw your firearm. If you’re threatened with deadly force, however, then it’s a whole new story.
Sunna should have also waited inside for police to arrive. This point would be even more clear had the teens been armed, but it’s still a good idea to wait inside after the thieves have left the building. For starters, you don’t know if they’re armed or not. And more importantly, perusing anything that isn’t life-threatening while you have a firearm is a dangerous mix. This case shows us that, and a rash decision to shoot was made that cost a young teen his life.
