Grand jury: Deadly shooting ‘lawful’

A Montgomery County grand jury determined that a Dollar General worker who shot and killed a man during an armed robbery in October acted lawfully.

The grand jury declined to indict the store manager and found “that the store manager acted lawfully under the circumstances,” according to the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office.

On Oct. 9, Roosevelt Rappley, 23, reportedly showed a gun and demanded money from a cashier at the Dollar General on North Gettysburg Avenue.

When the store manger tried to intervene, the suspect pointed the gun at the manager, the prosecutor’s office said. The manager then pulled out his own gun and shot Rappley multiple times.

Rappley was able to leave the store, before collapsing outside.

The manager followed him outside and reportedly kicked away the suspect’s gun before calling 911.

“I just had somebody try to attempt and rob me over here at Dollar General on Gettysburg,” he said in his 911 call. “Came in with a firearm, threatened to take money out the drawer, pointed a gun at me and my staff members. He pointed a gun at me, I had a firearm on me, I pulled my firearm and I shot him in self-defense.”

During the investigation, Dayton police Lt. Jason Hall said there were witnesses at the store who saw the suspect enter the store, pull out a gun and demand money from the cash register.

“An armed employee was then engaged with the individual attempting to rob the store,” Hall said. “The shooting occurred inside the structure, and the individual fled outside.”

The store manager was in legal possession of the firearm, Hall said. He also noted that the store is private property, so the manager would not need a concealed carry permit to legally carry a firearm.