Kathleen Carey
December 14th, 2004
Hampton Police say it's a case of an armed robber going after the wrong guy. Instead of a Hampton man becoming the victim of an armed robbery, Hampton Police say he turned the tables on his attacker. In the parking lot behind the "Treasure Chest" nightclub on East Pembroke Avenue, police drew circles around empty shell casings, drawing the conclusion that 22-year old Tony Kensler, Jr. Newport News pulled-out a gun to rob a man, just to be surprised that his intended victim fought back.
That man had a permit for a concealed weapon, and he's the one who got off the shots, hitting Kensler in the arm, leg and chest. Police say it was self defense, and those who we spoke with agree. Sarah Daniel lives nearby, "I think he had every right to do what he did. If someone came up to me, I'd use any means of self defense that I had." Charli is an employee of the club, but wasn't working the night of the shooting. Still, she has an opinion, "I think the bad guys need to have something happen to them for a change, instead of always have some innocent person die."
Kensler, listed in fair condition at Riverside Regional Medical Center, is charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of crack cocaine. Police are looking for another person who may have been helping Kensler. There was a car parked near the scene of the incident that could be involved in the stick-up attempt. Police say inside the car was a second suspect who they are still looking for. That's why they haven't released the name of the victim. They don't want to jeopardize the ongoing investigation.
The gentleman's club has surveillance video of the incident and the owner says she is cooperating with Hampton Police. Police are reviewing the tapes, hoping to identify the getaway car. Kathleen Carey spoke to Kensler's mother. She didn't go on camera, but says she goes on the record of believing that her son is innocent. She says her son shot as he was being robbed. The investigation continues. Call The Crimeline at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP if you can help police crack this case.