Posted on Sat, May. 10, 2008

Suspected robber in west Fort Worth shot, killed by shop's neighbor

By Deanna Boyd

Star-Telegram Staff Writer

FORT WORTH -- A 45-year-old man who police say robbed a west Fort Worth doughnut shop early Friday and assaulted the owner was shot and killed by a neighbor who heard the commotion and ran to help.

Ricky Lane was pronounced dead at 2:04 a.m. in the parking lot of the Happy Donuts shop at 109 Roberts Cut-Off Road. Police say he broke into the shop, assaulted the owner when she tried to flee, took a cash drawer and then was trying to steal her car when he was confronted by the neighbor.

Homicide Detective Frank Serra said the 59-year-old doughnut-shop owner was mixing dough in the back of the business when she heard glass break and discovered a man armed with a gun and wearing a ski mask and gloves, entering the shop. The man grabbed her and told her to give him money, Serra said.

The woman broke free and had made it outside to the back of the business when the man hit her in the head with the gun, later determined to be a BB gun, Serra said.

"The BB gun rifle did, in fact, look like a real firearm," he said.

The man went back in, grabbed a cash drawer, and then tried to get away. The man "had taken the car keys from the victim and was attempting to start her car when he was confronted by the neighbor," Serra said. "Just before the shooting, the business owner told the neighbor that the suspect had just robbed her and had a gun."

Serra said the neighbor fired once, striking Lane in the torso.

The owner was treated at the scene for her injuries. The neighbor was not arrested. The case could be forwarded to a grand jury for review.

"The neighbor was distraught during his interview because of the passing of the suspect," Serra said. "The business owner is very grateful that the neighbor was there to protect her."

The incident marked the second time the business had been robbed in less than a month. According to a police report, the business was also targeted April 24. Police said they are investigating whether Lane was responsible for that robbery, police said.

Tarrant County court records show Lane had convictions, dating to 1980, for burglary, criminal trespass and aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. On the robbery and assault convictions, he received sentences of 12 years and 15 years in prison, respectively.