Shots that killed robber at Miller Auto Sales 'justifiable'

Chattanooga officers investigate the scene of a robbery and shooting on Rossville Boulevard. Police say the shooting was justifiable and Alan Miller will not be charged.
Chattanooga officers investigate the scene of a robbery and shooting on Rossville Boulevard. Police say the shooting was justifiable and Alan Miller will not be charged.

Police say the fatal shots that 27-year-old Alan Miller fired on Thursday afternoon were justifiable.

Miller shot a man twice in the chest as he attempted to rob Miller Auto Sales, located at 4314 Rossville Blvd. Police say the shots Miller fired were in self-defense, and charges will not be filed against him.

"If you, yourself or another's life is in danger, you have the right to protect yourself," said Chattanooga police Sgt. Scott Bales.

Witnesses, forensic evidence and the shooter's statement all work together to determine if a case such as this is classified as justifiable, Bales added.

Miller was working at the dealership on Thursday afternoon when the would-be robber, who still has not been identified by police, entered wearing a mask and brandishing a gun. Two other people were inside the building at the time.

This was not the first attempted robbery at the dealership, according to Bales, who is supervisor of the robbery division of the Chattanooga Police Department.

Contact Kendi Anderson at kendi.anderson@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6592.

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