Tulsa Convenience Store Reopens After Clerk Shoots Attempted Robbers

Two of the four suspects that attempted to rob a store clerk are now behind bars; the other two were shot and killed by the clerk.

Police said the men went into the Ryan's convenience store near 21st and Mingo Wednesday night, wearing masks and carrying guns.

They said they fired one shot at the clerk but he fired back twice, killing two of the suspects.

Mark DeLay has owned the store for 13 years and he re-opened about seven hours after the shooting, saying his customers depend on him.

His nephew was at work when four men attempted to rob the store. DeLay said he's thankful his nephew survived.

"Scared first for my clerk and everyone involved. It's frustrating when you're working hard to make a living and people put you in this kind of position. It's a sad thing for everyone involved.” DeLay said.

Police said the whole thing was caught on tape and that the suspects fired at the clerk who then fired back with two shots, killing two of the suspects; a third ran back to the getaway vehicle and driver.

Sergeant Brandon Watkins, TPD said, "You watch the video and, in my mind and the mind of anybody watching the video, he is very clearly defending himself."

The two men killed are Brian Powell and 16-year-old Kevin Dobbs.

1/14/2015 Related Story: Store Clerk Shoots 2 Men Who Tried To Rob Tulsa Store, Police Say

Police said two other men left in an SUV, gathered up family members of the dead and returned to the store.

When the men came back, officers arrested 17-year-old George Williamson and Lakeit Thompson.

They recognized them and their vehicle from a tip earlier in the day.

"Yesterday afternoon, a DHS worker witnessed a robbery and followed the suspects and got a tag number," Watkins said.

Police were looking for them because not only was the Ryan's the second robbery that day, police believe the men robbed ten other stores in the last couple of weeks; one suspect admitted to robbing eight.

DeLay said his store has been robbed in the past, it's even happened to him personally, and he's talked to his staff about protecting themselves.

"We let them do what they feel is right for them," he said.

DeLay said he has never thought about moving from this location. He loves the people and has a relationship with them, plus, crime can happen anywhere and the last thing he wants to do is let criminals run him off.

Records show the two who were killed have police records. Dobbs was arrested for driving drunk when he was 15 and Powell was on a deferred sentence for larceny.