Akron: Pizza shop owner who defended his store shares his story

AKRON -- Pizza shop owner Johnny Hayes not only had a legal right to defend himself and his business with lethal force, he felt an obligation to defend his staff and customers.

Still, life after this death has not been easy.

Each day since has become an emotional gut check over what can't be undone.

Some police officers work a whole career without firing their weapon, but after just two years of owning a 9mm handgun, Hayes killed a man with it.

"I live thinking about it every day. I am still concerned for my well being more so then ever, my employees and my family," Hayes said.

"I shot and killed a guy. I don't feel good about it."

Last March Hayes was filling an order when someone stepped through the front door.

"I heard, 'This is (expletive) robbery.' I turned and there was a guy in an orange ski mask," Hayes said.

Behind the mask was 20-year-old Patrick Finney.

"You got to assume when a guy puts a shotgun to your head he's going to shoot ya," Hayes said.

The suspect was distracted by the money and Hayes pulled his concealed weapon, firing seven times. Bullet impressions remain in the door frame.

"It seemed very surreal and almost fake at the time," Hayes said.

Finney ran from the shop and collapsed 100 yards down the street.

The pizza shop owner defended his life and his cash, but business has since suffered. It's down 80 percent.

"We've slowed down. We lost a lot of our core customers in the neighborhood," Hayes said.

He is getting on with it. He remains optimistic and armed.

"I just want to live, work and enjoy my life. If you want something from me, ask, don't come in with a gun and try to take it," Hayes said.

Hayes does have a concealed carry permit for his weapon, although it was not required since he was in his own establishment.

Hayes said he got the license and weapon in 2007 after his friend told him about chasing off a home invader.

This was the first time he ever had to use it.