A Starbucks barista, Michael Harrison, was fired after he helped subdue two robbers who attacked him at his workplace in downtown St. Louis, per the NY Post.
Harrison was reportedly cooperative with the robbers until one of the criminals hit him in the head with his gun. A co-worker jumped in to defend Harrison, resulting in a brawl with other bystanders and the assailants. The robbers were eventually apprehended by the police.
Harrison and his co-worker were placed on paid leave while Starbucks investigated the incident.
“I got a call a few weeks later,”
Harrison said.
“Once the media died down. They told me they were terminating me. I was surprised. I was distraught. I was confused.”
According to Harrison’s attorney Ryan Krupp, the company informed both Harrison and his coworker that they had breached company policy, but did not provide specific details.
“We were deeply disturbed to learn of this frightening incident,”
a Starbucks spokesperson told The Post.
“Partner safety is at the core of how we operate in our stores, and we are so grateful that our partners and customers did not come to greater harm in this situation.”
They went on to add,
“Our training and protocols guide our partners to comply and de-escalate, not just for their safety but for the safety of all in the store.”
Harrison no longer has an income and expressed that he is facing difficulties in covering his bills and tuition.
“That job was helping me pay for college,”
he said.
“I just don’t understand it. I thought it was the right thing to do.”
Krupp says that they are currently preparing a lawsuit, which will be filed within the next few weeks.
“When the robbers came in, my client complied and tried to open the cash register when he was struck in the head by one of the gunman,”
Krupp said.
“At that point you’re in a position to defend yourself.”
#Clique, what are your thoughts?
