WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | Statement from pizza delivery driver involved in fatal shooting

Statement from pizza delivery driver involved in fatal shooting

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - The Midlands pizza delivery man, who thwarted a robbery attempt, will not face charges.

Lexington County Sheriff James Metts said Thursday that Christopher Miller acted in self-defense when he shot and killed 17-year-old Paul Andrew Sturgill Jr. last week.

Authorities say Sturgill and two other men chased Miller when he arrived to deliver pizza, and Miller fired while being beaten by one of them.

Authorities say Miller has a concealed weapons permit and had been robbed while delivering pizzas before.

Two suspects have been arrested and charged with robbery and criminal conspiracy.

The delivery man, Christopher Miller, wants to set the record straight after overwhelming community response.

Miller says he voluntarily resigned from his position at the Irmo Pizza Hut and asks that the community not boycot the restaurant. 

The following is a statement from Christopher Miller:

My name is Christopher Miller; I am the driver who got robbed last Saturday.  I would like to make the following statement regarding my leaving Pizza Hut.

I have read a lot of comments that have been posted on the websites and I thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for your support; they have greatly encouraged me and my family through this very difficult time.   I also ask that you have some sympathy and compassion for the family of the boy that died, they are suffering more than I, please keep them in your prayers.   I have been delivering pizza on and off, both fulltime and part-time for 10 years and this is the third time I have been robbed.  I have delivered for both Dominos and Pizza Hut and both companies have a no weapons policy.  I advised my manager the night of the robbery that I will no longer work at Pizza Hut as a delivery driver.  I knew after what happened that my career as a driver was over.   I have read a lot of comments about boycotting Pizza Hut; I am asking that you to not do that.  I ask you this because I have a lot of friends at that store and they are all good people and they need your support.  I am friends with all the drivers there and they are very apprehensive about every delivery they take.  Those drivers need the support of good customers.  Instead of boycotting the store, I ask that you have your order delivered and thank the driver by giving them a good tip.   I care for the people at that store and I don't want them to be punished for something that is not their fault.  Again, I thank you for your notes of support and encouragement, I am doing ok.  I'm taking it one day at a time and I do have a fulltime job that helps support me.

Christopher S. Miller

Posted by Bryce Mursch

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