Fundamentals of Journalism

Leads Exercise 4

GUN

Approximately, at eight thirty last night, two armed men caught on tape robbed a local store on 450 Stanley Street. In the store video clip, both of the robbers in ski masks entered the store. One held the owner, Barney Stanley Jr. at gunpoint while the other removed the money from the register.

Luckily, Joseph was unharmed but he lost over three hundred dollars in the process. The robbers took the money and sped away. Apparently, they already had the getaway car parked around the curb with the motor running for a quick escape.

According to the local police sergeant, Joseph had a pistol under his counter, which he could have used to protect himself from the robbers, but he decided not to use it. Stanley said that the robbery took less than a minute, so he felt that the gun would be unnecessary.

About 25 years ago, a similar incident occurred at the same store; however, with a different outcome. The previous owner, also Joseph’s father, died during an armed robbery. Joseph’s father also had a gun at the time and used it to defend himself. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to protect his life, he died with a gun in his hand and a stray bullet penetrating the ceiling.

During a short interview with Joseph, there was a short discussion about his reaction to the robbery and the death of his father. Joseph simply didn’t want to defend himself and end up like his father, in his exact words he said,

“Yes, Dad resisted, I guess. Anyway, the found him shot to death, his own gun in his hand, and a bullet in the store’s ceiling. I’d rather part with my money than my life,”

Joseph even told the police that he had the chance to reach for the gun, but consciously chose not to for he thought it was unwise. Not one would expect, especially when the media is full of movies that shows scenes where there’s a shootout between the store owner and the robbers.

PARK-from a release

Sioux City, Iowa – Two days ago, the owner of Quick Stop Laundry, Robert T. F. Ho (deceased), donated thousands of dollars to the City Park. The money was to help build “educational” joy rides for the children in the community. Supposedly, the rides made are the SuperSlide for tiny toddlers and the Hanging Gate for the older children.

The SuperSlide allows tiny toddlers and preschoolers to have fun sliding without climbing up ladders. As for the Hanging Gate, it is an iron pole embedded in the ground with a gate hanging from it. The children are to push themselves in a circle to move the gate.

The money was available six weeks ago and his wife, Mrs. Ho approved for the city to release information about her husband’s generous donation. According to Mrs. Ho, Mr. Ho had always wanted to do this.

She said during the quick interview, “Robert always enjoyed watching the kids play in the park across the street. He felt sorry for the kids who had to wait to use the equipment, especially the little ones.” Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Ho, those young children will have some equipment to play of their own.