( Springfield Township ) Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters says two employees of the Sunoco store at 10960 Hamilton Avenue won't be charged in the shooting death of a 19-year-old robber.

Lashawn Daniels of Mason was killed on December 10 when he entered the store about 12:30am and demanded money while waving a gun around.

In a press release, Deters details what happened in the store:

"The clerk who was working at the register immediately complied with Daniel’s demands and started giving him money from the cash register.  The clerk had a 40 caliber weapon under his shirt but he was not able to retrieve his weapon as Daniels had a gun pointed at him.  Another clerk working in the back of the store was able to see what was happening on the store video and immediately hit the alarm button to notify the police and then came up behind Daniels with a shot gun.  As Daniels turned and pointed his gun toward the clerk with the shot gun, the clerk then fired twice.  One shot struck the counter and one shot struck Daniels.  At the same time, the other clerk was able to retrieve his 40 caliber weapon and ultimately fired four times at Daniels hitting him twice.  It is unknown whether Daniels fired his weapon at any time.

After the clerks shot Daniels, the video shows him lying on the store floor.  He is still alive at this time.  The clerks can be seen prodding him and can be heard on the 911 call asking him where his gun is located obviously concerned that he had this weapon ready at hand.  His gun was later recovered.

Daniels was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Springfield Township police investigation included review of the store videos, review of the 911 call, and interviews with the 2 store clerks and a thorough investigation of the crime scene.  During the investigation, the police recovered the BB gun wielded by Daniels during the robbery. 

After this thorough investigation by the Springfield Township Police Department and review by the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office, Prosecutor Deters determined that no criminal charges were appropriate for the clerks.

Prosecutor Deters commented, “It is a shame that you have to arm yourself when you work in a convenience store to protect your property and, more importantly, your life from a gun wielding thief who enters your store and demands money at gun point.  Fortunately, the two hard working and law abiding clerks were able to protect themselves and return home safely.”