Doing The Right Thing - Yes, No, and Maybe

This one hits close to home, for several reasons.

Houston police released surveillance photos of three suspects wanted in the fatal shooting of one man and the wounding of another at a Denny’s in west Houston.

The suspects were described as three males with their faces concealed by bandanas or masks.

It happened at the Denny’s along Interstate 10 at Washington Avenue around 10:30 p.m. Monday, according to officers with the Houston Police Department.

We used to live in that general area. I would on occasion drop into that particular Denny's for a late (or early - depends on whether I was coming or going) breakfast.

Police said three men went into the restaurant and ordered all customers and employees to the ground.

Surveillance photo of three suspects wanted in the fatal shooting of one man and the wounding of another at a Denny’s restaurant in Houston.

A family member of one of the victims said the men took purses and cell phones, and even pointed their guns at small children. The men also stole money from the customers and the cash register.

Witnesses said the robbers became angry and started shooting before they left the scene. The bullets struck a customer and an employee who was trying to escape out the front door.

Family members identify the customer as 64-year-old Robert Placette, who later died at Memorial Hermann Hospital.

"He was a good man who always tried to do right by people," said Drue Placette, the victim’s son.

Witnesses say Placette was standing in front of terrified children to protect them when he was shot in the chest.

"They said when they started pointing guns at the kids like that, he got up and stood in front of them. That is the only thing that kind of makes me happy, makes me smile, makes me proud that he would do that," said Drue. "I think that my dad died honorably and I hope people remember that."

He definitly did the right and honorable thing that night. God Bless him, and God Damn his killers. (Doing The Right Thing - Yes!)

Left unreported by just about every media outlet was the fact that the three thugs were black. I don't want to make this all about race. I don't think the robbery or the shooting were racially motivated. However, when a significant physical characteristic that could help identify the robbers/killers is deliberately omitted from news reports, it's clear that the media is making a conscious decision to protect the image of a specific ethnic group. (Go here to see the surveillance photos.)

And that IS racist. (Doing The Right Thing - No!)

Also not reported is whether this particular Denny's follows the general corporate trend and has a No Guns sign posted on the front door. Which brings me to my final point.

"No Guns" signs put those of us who legally carry in an awkward situation. Do we follow the rules and risk becoming helpless targets, or do we break the rules and become criminals, like the savages in Houston? (Doing The Right Thing - Maybe?)