“It had to be God working through her because she just talked to
me like a mother or a grandmother to her child, and she made me feel
comfortable.” Those were the words of 23-year-old Gregory Smith in an ABC News interview after turning himself in to authorities. Smith admits to attempting
to rob an Advance America check-cashing business in Indianapolis at gun
point while store clerk Angela Montez was working alone. As Smith
jumped the counter waving his gun at Montez, she told “Good Morning
America” in an interview “I began praying and telling him, ‘Don’t do
this. You’re young.’ ”
me like a mother or a grandmother to her child, and she made me feel
comfortable.” Those were the words of 23-year-old Gregory Smith in an ABC News interview after turning himself in to authorities. Smith admits to attempting
to rob an Advance America check-cashing business in Indianapolis at gun
point while store clerk Angela Montez was working alone. As Smith
jumped the counter waving his gun at Montez, she told “Good Morning
America” in an interview “I began praying and telling him, ‘Don’t do
this. You’re young.’ ”
Montez goes on to say “I remember looking at the silver gun, and
the finger was on the trigger. I thought, ‘This is it.’ ” The two
continued talking, even praying together during their 40 minute
encounter. At one point, Smith even gave her the bullet from his gun to
put her at ease. The check cashing store is in a high traffic
area, yet during the entire 40 minute ordeal no customers came through
the door or even called, which is what made Montez feel their encounter was
ordained by God. Smith says, financial hardship, a baby, possible homelessnes and unemployment made him feel like he had no other
options but to take the drastic step he took. Smith also confided that he was an ex-serviceman, and did not have
a strong relationship with his mother.
the finger was on the trigger. I thought, ‘This is it.’ ” The two
continued talking, even praying together during their 40 minute
encounter. At one point, Smith even gave her the bullet from his gun to
put her at ease. The check cashing store is in a high traffic
area, yet during the entire 40 minute ordeal no customers came through
the door or even called, which is what made Montez feel their encounter was
ordained by God. Smith says, financial hardship, a baby, possible homelessnes and unemployment made him feel like he had no other
options but to take the drastic step he took. Smith also confided that he was an ex-serviceman, and did not have
a strong relationship with his mother.
Montez says the ordeal has
definitely strengthened her faith, “I believe the Lord sent us both
together.”
definitely strengthened her faith, “I believe the Lord sent us both
together.”
With
approximately 16 states having unemployment rates over 10 percent, Michigan
with the highest unemployment rate in the country at a whopping 15 percent according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of September 2009, the Federal Bureau of Investigation is reporting blacks are leading the national crime average at 49 percent. –cp
approximately 16 states having unemployment rates over 10 percent, Michigan
with the highest unemployment rate in the country at a whopping 15 percent according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of September 2009, the Federal Bureau of Investigation is reporting blacks are leading the national crime average at 49 percent. –cp