She defied a corporate taboo and most likely saved her own life.
Papa John’s Pizza is standing by a pizza delivery woman who opened fire Sunday on an armed robber in an act of self defense.
The pizza franchise told FoxNews.com Thursday the employee, who hasn’t been named, will not be fired from the company.
The employee was making a delivery in Decatur, Ga., Sunday night when a man approached her vehicle, forcing her onto the ground at gunpoint, according to the DeKalb County Police Department. The woman, who had a gun in her pocket, was able to fire at the man while on the ground — striking the alleged assailant, identified as 24-year-old Donquaz Stevenson, in the face.
Stevenson was later found in a neighbor’s yard and arrested, according to police, who said the pizza delivery might have been a setup. Local media outlets reported that a second suspect carjacked the delivery woman’s silver 2000 Honda Accord and remains on the run.
Stevenson was charged with armed robbery and was being treated for a gunshot wound at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta.
The delivery woman’s mother had told WSB-TV her daughter is worried she may lose her job because she was carrying a firearm at work for protection.
While Papa John’s prohibits employees — including delivery drivers — from carrying firearms on the job, the pizza giant said Thursday the woman would not be let go from the company. She instead will be reassigned to another role, according to the company.
“The safety of Papa John’s employees is a top priority for our company, ” the company said in an email to FoxNews.com.
“Company policy prohibits employees from utilizing firearms in the performance of their duties.We plan no changes to our current policy, which is designed to protect customers and employees,” the statement read. “Upon investigation and considering the specific facts of the situation, we have reassigned the employee to work in the store and are offering her counseling to help her recuperate from the incident.”
Authorities said the woman, who was not arrested, acted out of fear for her life.
“She had no other choice. She must have been in fear for her life and she reacted,” Capt. Stephen Fore with the DeKalb County Police Department told WSB-TV.
The crime happened a day before another Papa John’s employee was attacked at gunpoint in Missouri.
Fox affiliate KTVI reports that a Papa John’s pizza delivery driver was robbed at gunpoint around 10 p.m. Monday in St. Louis. Two men approached the driver with a gun and stole his wallet, while he was making a delivery, according to the The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. The suspects, who have not been caught, sped away in a white pick-up truck.
Anyone with information on the attempted robbery in Decatur, Ga., is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477.
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