Criminals in Hamilton County, Ohio, received a strong message from a Republican prosecutor this week: if you try to burglarize a business, you should expect to be shot. This statement was made by Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers, who stood her ground against Democrats in the county who have shown leniency towards criminals.
The statement from Powers came after a recent case in which a 16-year-old and four other teens attempted to steal from a smoke shop in the Cincinnati suburbs. The shop’s manager, Tony Thacker, fired shots at the teens as they tried to flee the scene. One of the teens, 16-year-old Travis Johnson, was killed in the gunfire while 19-year-old Amontae Carter was struck by three bullets but survived.
Powers condemned Thacker’s actions, stating that there is no justification for shooting at someone as they are running away. However, she also made it clear that this type of retail theft will not be tolerated in Hamilton County. She firmly stood by her belief that those who try to rob a store should expect to be met with deadly force in self-defense.
Powers has brought multiple charges against Thacker, including tampering with evidence and having weapons under disability. As a convicted juvenile, Thacker is not allowed to possess firearms. His brother, Malachi Thacker, has also been charged with tampering with evidence. While Powers condemned Tony Thacker’s alleged actions, she made it clear that she will not let retail theft go unpunished.
The prosecutor has also charged Carter, the surviving teen who was shot, with multiple crimes, including murder. He currently faces a bond of over $1 million and could spend life in prison if convicted. Additionally, the other three suspects, who are 15, 16, and 17 years old, are facing felony charges and their cases have been transferred to adult court.
Powers‘ bold stance against criminals and her support of the Second Amendment may not be popular among Democrats in the deep-blue county, but it sends a strong message to would-be robbers. It is obvious that she will not stand by and watch as criminals continue to run rampant in her community. Her strong words and actions serve as a reminder to Democrats who support leniency towards criminals that there are consequences for their actions and that the safety and rights of law-abiding citizens must be protected.
It is time for a change in the mindset of Democrats who prioritize the well-being of criminals over the safety of innocent individuals. Powers’ words and actions should serve as a wake-up call to these individuals and a reminder that criminals will not be tolerated in Hamilton County. The well-being and protection of law-abiding citizens must be a top priority, and Powers is leading the charge in making that known. With her fierce determination and commitment to justice, she is a shining example of the type of leadership needed to combat crime and protect our communities.