Heather Burkinshaw-Stanley lost her job after running to her car to fetch her gun to scare off robbers at a Georgia Waffle House Thursday.
A Georgia waitress has lost her job after firing her gun while the Waffle House she worked at was being robbed.
Heather "Shorty" Burkinshaw-Stanley was working at the restaurant in Newnan Thursday when she said three men finished their meals and handed a cashier a note threatening to shoot up the place if they didn't get the money in the register.
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As the robbers fled, Burkinshaw-Stanley said she feared for her life and for the safety of her co-workers, so she ran to her car and retrieved her personal firearm.
"I safely fired a round in the air in an attempt to scare the robbers who were in the process of getting in their vehicle," Burkinshaw-Stanley wrote on a GoFundMe page. "Not knowing if they were retrieving their weapon to return to the Waffle House. My shot must have gotten their attention as they rapidly drove off."
The robbers reportedly got away with $200 and no one was injured.
However, after what she believes was an act of bravery, Burkinshaw-Stanley learned Friday she was terminated after two years working at Waffle House.
"Due to this action of firing a round safely in the air I have lost my job," Burkinshaw-Stanley said.
Shocked at her treatment and encouraged by gun supporters who feel she was in the right, Burkinshaw-Stanley started the GoFundMe page to help her family financially while she is unemployed and to spread the word about Waffle House's decision.
"I am a mother of three children and have a disabled husband. Being the sole income, short term assistance would be welcomed to help make ends meet until I can secure another job," she wrote.
In just about a day, the fund well surpassed the goal of $2,500. As of midday Monday, Burkinshaw-Stanley had raised nearly $6,500.
Meanwhile, officials at Waffle House don't appear to be backing down.
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While declining to comment on this specific personnel issue, corporate spokesman Pat Warner told the Newnan Times-Herald "we want people to feel safe on both sides of the counter."
A message left with Waffle House was not immediately returned Monday.
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