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Man Fires Warning Shot To Thwart Attempted Robbery At Franklin Park Golf Course

BOSTON (CBS) – Police say a man who witnessed an attempted robbery at Franklin Park Golf Course stopped the incident when he pulled out a gun and fired a warning shot. It happened at about 4:45 p.m. on Sunday.

Wayne Strew, 38, of Dorchester, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault.

Franklin Park Golf Course Robbery
A witness pulled out a gun to thwart an attempted robbery at Franklin Park Golf Course. (Image Credit: Loic Venon)

Strew allegedly approached a woman working on the course and attempted to rob her. Boston Police said Strew put his hands around the woman's neck and threatened to kill her.

The man who pulled the gun is a chef at the course and has a license to carry. He says he stands by his actions. "I'm supposed to, that's my job," he said.

Police said Strew walked toward the man and reached into his waistband while making threats. That's when police said the man fired one shot "away from any persons or property."

Franklin Park Golf Course Robbery
Police on scene at Franklin Park Golf Course. (Image Credit: Loic Venon)

As a result, other people in the area called 911 and police rushed to the scene and arrested Strew.

The chef, who did not want to be identified, said he would do it again to protect his business and his employee.

"That's my business, and she's my employee," he said. "It's really simple."

The man voluntarily turned over his gun and license to carry over to police.

Strew was arraigned in West Roxbury District Court on Monday.

BILL SHIELDS FRANKLIN PARK ROBBERY 5-6PM 20210510
Wayne Strew, 38, of Dorchester appeared in court Monday (WBZ-TV)

Loice Venon was golfing on the hole where the incident played out.

"We were just out there looking for a Mother's Day round of golf and it was going really well, then we hear gunshots in the distance," he said. "Around the corner we see a guy being held up at gunpoint on our hole, right next to where my buddy is trying to chip onto the green. We were like, 'What the hell is going on?'

Venon, a student at MIT, called 911. He said this was his first time golfing, and added that he and his group were back to playing within about 20 minutes.

"I can say it was the craziest round of golf in my life, confidently," he said. "It felt surreal. I was like there is no way this is happening at this time."

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