Woman who shot and killed robber speaks out

Thursday, August 12, 2004

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Foster has had to pull a gun during a robbery before.
A Polk County woman talked Wednesday about how she shot and killed one of two men who robbed her at gunpoint Tuesday in Haines City.

Authorities say Thomas Porter Wiley, 24, died shortly after fleeing from Judy Foster's Mister Money store in a getaway car with two other men.

This isn't the first such incident for Foster. She pulled a gun on two men who tried to rob her a year and a half ago. She was ready to defend herself this time too.

"All I can say is that when that person entered my place of business with a gun drawn and pointed at me, he should have been prepared for any consequences," said Foster.

Judy's husband, Bob Foster, who runs Mister Money with her, says he's proud of her and that no one should be surprised she's already back at work.

"They know that she would be back the next day ready to take care of business," said Bob Foster. "That's just the way she is."

Judy Foster's customers are happy to see her back at work alive and well. They say they would have taken a similar action under the same circumstances.

"If I had a business, I would go get something registered too," said customer Shanell Cody. "In my name. So I could do the same thing."

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The incident happened at Mister Money in Haines City.

So does Judy still have a gun behind the counter at Mister Money?

"I'm not sure I want to answer that at this time," said Judy. "But you have to be prepared."

Foster describes the shooting as a tragedy, something she never wanted to happened and never wants to happen again.

Authorities have charged 25-year-old Zachery Bernard Geddis of Lake Alfred with robbery with a firearm and second-degree murder for his role in the incident.

Geddis, who police said was the getaway driver during the robbery, has been charged with Wiley's murder because he was involved in the crime that led to Wiley's death, police said

Authorities are still searching for a third suspect in the robbery attempt -- 22-year-old Taurean Jammal Brown. If you have any information about his whereabouts, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS.