News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | Pharmacist Charged With Murder After Shooting Robber
Jerome ErslandNews9.com
OKLAHOMA CITY -- An Oklahoma City pharmacist is facing a first-degree murder charge after shooting back during an attempted robbery.
Jerome Ersland, 57, was charged Wednesday in Oklahoma County District Court.
He is accused of killing Antwun Parker on May 19 when Parker and a friend tried to rob Reliable Pharmacy in south Oklahoma City.
Ersland said he shot Parker to save his own life and the lives of his co-workers. He said Parker and another man came into the pharmacy wearing masks and demanding money and drugs.
Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater said that Ersland was justified in shooting Antwun Parker once in the head. But Prater said Ersland went too far when he shot Parker five more times in the abdomen while Parker lay unconscious on the floor.
Had Ersland's first shot been fatal, he would not face charges under Oklahoma's Stand Your Ground Law, Prater said.
However, Prater said security video shows that Ersland chased the second man outside before returning then walked past Parker to get a second gun before going back to fire the fatal five rounds into Parker's abdomen.
Watch the video for yourself and listen to the DA's explanation.
Police reported Parker was not wielding a gun at the time he and the second robber stormed into the pharmacy, but the video shows that the second robber was.
Ersland's attorney, Irven Box, says Ersland was protecting himself and two women inside the pharmacy.
"Finally someone stands their ground and takes action," Box said. "The state said he was still alive. He's not dead. He eliminated that threat. He eliminated someone who came in and said, ‘Your money or your life.'"
Oklahoma City police did not find any evidence that the armed subject fired any rounds at Ersland or the store.
Ersland will have a bail hearing Thursday morning.
The second suspect is still on the run. The district attorney says if and when he's caught he'll be charged with attempted robbery in the first degree.
More on News9.com:
- Employee Shoots at Robbers: 1 Killed, 1 at Large
- Read the text of Oklahoma's Stand Your Ground Law
Comments Terms of Use: Terms of Use: We welcome your participation in our community. Please keep your comments civil and on point. You must be at least 13 years of age to post comments. In addition, by submitting a comment, you recognize that your comment may be read or discussed on one or more television news broadcasts on NEWS 9 and you consent to any such use. By submitting a comment, you agree to these
Terms of Service
You must be logged in to leave a comment. Login or register See all comments |
Thank you for participating in our poll. Here are the results so far:
The sex offender accused of murdering a Spencer woman outside her Midwest City church is facing other accusations too. More>>
A search for a missing Oklahoma City boy has ended after the boy showed up at school, police said. More>>
Several large columns of concrete fell from the expanding parking garage at the Devon Tower construction site. More>>
The possibility of more winter storms could mean more snow days for Oklahoma schools. Now, teachers are worried if students will be prepared for the upcoming standardized tests. More>>
The Junior League of Norm is sponsoring the Healthy Smiles exhibit at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History on Sunday, February 7 from 1-5 p.m. as part of National Children's Dental Health month. More>>
Frequently unemployment is merely reported as a statistic, but the Oklahoma Impact Team is taking a closer look at the people behind the numbers. More>>
Oklahoma ranks as the third worst state for women due to high rates of domestic violence, teen pregnancy and incarcerated women. The Oklahoma Women's Coalition is working to change that. More>>
High schools across the state could begin offering an elective course in the study of the Bible under a measure approved by a Senate committee. More>>
