Daily Oklahoman, Oklahoma City, OK, 07/17/02

The owner of a Marietta, Okla., jewelry store shot and killed one of two armed men who attempted to rob his store. Two men had walked into Norton's Jewelry Store as Ronnie Norton and his wife, Barbara, were preparing to close for the evening. Norton saw the suspicious men approaching and slipped his .32-cal. handgun into his belt. They asked to see a $2,500 wedding set, and Norton went to the safe to retrieve the rings with one man following him. When Barbara Norton saw that man reach into his pocket, she ran for the door but was stopped by the other man who pulled a gun on her. Norton turned to see what was going on, and the man with him pulled a handgun. When the gunman ordered the storeowner to the floor, Norton feared he would be shot in the back of the head. He made his move, and a struggle ensued during which his assailant was fatally wounded. His attacker's accomplice fired several shots at Norton, who returned fire with his own gun. The second gunman and two accomplices waiting outside fled the scene. Though frightened, the Nortons were uninjured. The storeowner said he and his wife plan to reopen the store, but will never feel completely safe again. "We are always going to be alert and ready for something to happen," he said.