DEKALB, Georgia — A Papa John’s pizza delivery driver used a gun to save her life, but in doing so violated the company’s policy on firearms at the workplace.
However, she’ll get to keep her job, Papa John’s confirmed.
Delivering food can be dangerous because people on the job are often targeted by muggers. A Papa John’s pizza deliverer in the Atlanta area was mugged at gunpoint, possibly by the same person who ordered the pizza, according to news reports.
Her attacker allegedly forced her from her car at gunpoint and made her lie on the ground. That’s when she pulled out her own gun and shot him in the face.
An accomplice stole her car and remains at large. The injured suspect was charged with armed robbery.
Gun laws in the state of Georgia are likely on her side. Legislators passed a bill in July that gives Georgia gun owners the legal right to defend themselves against a violent attack.
Papa John’s called the shooting “a tragic event,” and said that the safety of its employees is a top priority. However, the company said its policy “prohibits employees from utilizing firearms in the performance of their duties. We plan no changes to our current policy.”
But even though the worker violated the gun policy, the company decided not to fire her.
“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,” said Papa John’s, which wouldn’t identify the worker.
Police in Dekalb County, Georgia, were unavailable for comment.
This isn’t the first time that a Papa John’s employee was victimized at work. Back in October, Papa John’s CEO John Schnatter attended a memorial service in Tennessee for an employee who was shot to death while getting robbed on the job.
