Spartanburg Waffle House Shooting Video Released

[GreatOak]

VIDEO INSIDE

SPARTANBURG, SC (FOX Carolina) -
Nineteen-year-old Dante Williams' family said there is no doubt he entered the Waffle House in Chesnee back in January of 2012 intent on robbing it, but they say he didn't have to die.

FOX Carolina obtained surveillance video from inside the Waffle House that investigators said shows Williams and his accomplice Jawan Craig come into the restaurant. Deputies said Williams is the one seen pointing a gun and demanding money.

Sitting at the bar area of the restaurant was Justin Harrison, a concealed weapon permit holder, who was armed the night of the robbery.

"They're yelling 'everybody get down, get down' and I'm not getting on the floor. I am not going to be a victim," Harrison said.

Harrison said while the men terrorized other customers and staff he was deciding when to act.

"This was the only time," Harrison said. "If I am going to fight it was that one time. He was approaching me and I saw that as him engaging me."

The video shows Williams, gun by his side, walk back toward Harrison, who stands up and fires several shots killing Williams almost instantly.

The video then shows Harrison trying to hold Craig at gunpoint. But Craig tries grabbing Harrison's gun and after a struggle Craig escapes.

Deputies later caught up with Craig, and he has since been convicted in the robbery. Thanks in part to the surveillance video.

David Blanton, a former Spartanburg county deputy, was Harrison's CWP instructor and after reviewing the video he says Harrison followed his training and was justified in firing.

"Not only was he defending his own life, which the law says he can do, but there were other people in the restaurant," Blanton said.

According to Blanton, getting a CWP involves filling out an application, followed by an eight-hour course taught by a qualified instructor, a written exam, and finally a live-fire qualification.

Tamika McSwain is Williams' cousin and said more training is needed before someone is given a CWP. McSwain said the video contradicts statements made by Harrison about what happened the night of the robbery, and said if Harrison had been bettered trained he may not have fired the fatal shots.

"I understand he felt threatened by the situation," McSwain said. "But he said the gun was pointed at him so he fired. In fact he (Williams) was walking out."

McSwain admits that Williams made a terrible decision the night he died.

"It still puzzles us as to why he would do something so crazy," said McSwain.

Williams actions were out of character for the Dorman High School senior who his family said had never been in trouble before.

"He was always sharp, always goofy, loved to dance, he was a respectable boy," McSwain said.

McSwain said her family was disappointed that Harrison wasn't charged in the shooting and says her family is still considering pursuing other legal action against him.

Both the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office and Seventh Circuit Solicitor's office cleared Harrison in the shooting.

But McSwain said her cousin's death shows that more training is need for CWP holders. Harrison meanwhile said the video shows he did what he had to.

"They got the gun, he (Williams) picked it up. He could have said no," Harrison said. "He hung out with the wrong crowd."

There was a similar similar to this a few months back where a shop owner shot another robber, with the robber's family threatening legal action. Now we have this family threatening legal action and attacking the CWP system instead of realizing that their family member was a violent crook. If he was such a bright young man he wouldn't have threatened the lives of everyone in that diner. This story made me wonder if a good number of people actually think that way, because the thought process of the family is completely strange.

[Deleted]

They were robbing the place with 2 firearms, how is this even a debate?

[Gracos]

Harrison was justified. You don't need to wait until someone walks up to you with a gun pointed at you and says "I'm going to shoot you" to act. It's hard to sympathize with the criminal here.

[GreatOak]

I find it odd that he's suddenly more threatened as they're leaving than when they walked right past him on their way in, but whatever. I don't see anything obviously wrong with this.

He was the only one I saw who refused to get on the ground. It's quite possible that the action pissed the criminals off. It also wouldve been more dangerous for him to draw on them as they were walking in.

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They were robbing the place with 2 firearms, how is this even a debate?

That's what I'm saying, but this has happened more than a few times recently.

[Deleted]

I watched a few interviews and all CCP instructors said he was in the right and legally had full recourse to act like he did, so...

The family is trying to make money off the classic "My boy was a good boy, he was a grade A student, he had a puppy and was caring" blah blah blah.

Point is, he fucking robbed a place with two live firearms and paid the price when confronted by a law abiding citizen, and this is from a person who disagrees with arming the general populace.

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I guess, but in that situation would he actually get in trouble for shooting them in the back?

I can only say from watching videos of his CCP instructor saying he had full legal right to act the way he did...

So take that as you will.

[Deleted]

I watched a few interviews and all CCP instructors said he was in the right and legally had full recourse to act like he did, so...

The family is trying to make money off the classic "My boy was a good boy, he was a grade A student, he had a puppy and was caring" blah blah blah.

Point is, he fucking robbed a place with two live firearms and paid the price when confronted by a law abiding citizen, and this is from a person who disagrees with arming the general populace.

He didn't do nuffin, he only wanted the money to buy school books.

[GreatOak]

I guess, but in that situation would he actually get in trouble for shooting them in the back?

Doubt it since they came in armed and were robbing the place

[Baba]

Biased cousin is biased. Funnily enough I lived in Chesnee when this happened, surprised to see it's actually a thing two years down the line.

[Stop Pretending]

I don't see an issue. Sadly someone did have to die, but that's the consequences when you start waving guns at people.

[sarecho]

the reason these dumbass kids grow up to be people who make dumbass decisions like "robbing the waffle house" are the people, their family, that they grow up with. people who make excuses and tell them that it's whitey that is the root of all evil. these useless pieces of shit are the only problem. it seems to stem mostly from poor people who simply want someone to blame and sometimes, poor people have had shit luck, but they're still responsible for their own choices. they should still sell out like a motherfucker just to maybe put their kids in better situations, not get fucked up all day, sit at home without a job and guarantee that their kids end up exactly like them

poor people who don't want to break the cycle are useless human beings who beget useless human beings.
if some of you are gonna tell me "he's not poor" bullshit, he's below the poverty line. if your parents have $10/hr jobs and you have 2 siblings, you're living a shit life. you're on welfare. you're poor.

this kid could have made a smarter decision and didn't. he cornered a guy with a gun and he lost. it's just natural selection. at least he can't pass on his stupid but i'm damn sure his family will keep on

[GreatOak]

He didn't do nuffin, he only wanted the money to buy school books.

He was next in line to chair the student leadership committee at Harvard I hear

[Deleted]

He didn't do nuffin, he only wanted the money to buy school books.

Oh, i see, makes sense then!

Working a part-time job is too much for this little Einstein, would obviously impact his studies!

[Post]

I'd be amazed if anyone here doesn't think this was justified.

[Deleted]

I'd be amazed if anyone here doesn't think this was justified.

You are new here.

[Deleted]

I'd be amazed if anyone here doesn't think this was justified.

Can't flim flam the zim za- Oh, sorry, wrong thread!

[Stop Pretending]

I'd be amazed if anyone here doesn't think this was justified.

I already for see a certain someone condemning the shooter. I'll just wait for his arrival.

[Post]

And by here Rich means the planet Earth.

No, it's obvious there are people out there who wouldn't. I'm talking about this website.

[Xeones]

and said if Harrison had been bettered trained he may not have fired the fatal shots.

I can't stand when people say this. When you have to draw your gun you don't shoot to wound.

he was a respectable boy

No one who commits armed robbery is respectable.

[GreatOak]

I already for see a certain someone condemning the shooter. I'll just wait for his arrival.

Just be glad I didn't mention race in the OP

[Masark]

I'd be amazed if anyone here doesn't think this was justified.

There is no cause so noble that one cannot find a fool following it.