Someone in the Des Moines, Iowa Business Community...

Please give this man a job--one that pays exponentially more than delivering pizza.

A pizza delivery driver, who police said defended himself by shooting a robber who attacked him, was fired from his job on Friday.

James Spiers, 38, confirmed to KCCI that he is no longer employed by Pizza Hut. Spiers said he was given two months severance pay and was offered help finding a new job by the company. [SNIP]

According to court documents, Melanie Stout, 18, called in a pizza order to an apartment building at 2050 SE King Ave. Police said her fiancee, Kenneth Jimmerson, 19, was waiting in the lobby with a gun when Spiers arrived at 10:39 p.m. on March 28.

Police said Jimmerson tried to rob Spiers at gunpoint. During a struggle, Spiers pulled out his own gun and opened fire. Spiers shot Jimmerson several times, in what police said was a justified shooting. Jimmerson survived was sent to the hospital and a couple days later moved to the Polk County Jail.

Though Spiers had a permit to carry his gun, Pizza Hut suspended its long-time delivery driver.

I'm not sure whether Pizza Hut deserves the flak that it's probably getting. After all, it's a private business and may make its own rules which an employee must follow. However, were I a pizza delivery chick, I'd carry too. After all, as one of Say Uncle's commenters points out, you can always get a new job if you get fired--but only if you're not dead.

Oh and I must say that young Melanie sure can pick 'em. I'm guessing that the nuptials have been postponed.

(Thanks to Instapundit)

Comments

[Tully]

While I kinda hate to defend Pizza Hut here, their policy has been in place for decades, and they've fired drivers for this before. It is a policy of theirs and they do apply it consistently.

I'm guessing this was a franchise, not a company-owned Hut. Given the severance package it sounds like the franchiser is somewhat sympathetic, but didn't have a choice under his franchise agreement.

[Zendo Deb]

I'm not boycotting Pizza Hut (and Yum Brands) because they fired this guy.

I'm boycotting them because I think their disarmament policy is wrong-headed.

They can have any policy they want.

I can buy pizza from a dozen places besides Pizza Hut. (And I can always find alternatives to KFC, Taco Bell, Long John Silvers and A&W. Any of the alternatives will have better food.)

[waltj]

As the old saying goes, I'd rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6. Same thing with jobs. You have to be alive to find another one. At least Mr. Spiers is in fact alive, and the cops found his to be a justified shooting. Two regrets, though. One, that Mr. Spiers lost his job, and two, that his aim wasn't better.