Bank-robbery hero sues Long Beach bank

A customer of Farmers and Merchants Bank in Long Beach who was shot in the leg when he helped capture a suspected bank robber sued the bank Wednesday for negligence.

Richard Camp tackled the armed suspect, Robert Gordon Lockwood, 51, before he could reach bank tellers during the March 5 incident, according to court papers filed by his attorney, Eric Dubin. Another bank patron helped subdue the suspect, who fired several shots, hitting Camp in the upper leg.

In all, three people, including the suspect, were shot and wounded during the botched robbery, police said. None of the injuries were life threatening.

The bank subsequently sent Camp some flowers and offered to take him and his wife for lunch, according to the court documents.

But Camp, a general contractor, is unable to work and has no way to support his wife and daughter for now.

His lawsuit alleges that the bank’s security guard was in the parking lot when the suspect entered the bank, and therefore the bank failed to provide a safe and secure environment for its patrons.

-- My-Thuan Tran

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Comments

[My opinon means nothing]

I don't understand why Mr. Lockwood is suing. How was the security guard to know the guy was going to rob the bank? Should he have asked every patron what their intentions were after they get out of their cars? Mr. Lockwood didn't have to try intervine. He choose to. I'm sorry he was injured and what the bank should do to compensate should be up to the bank. (That will probably be decieded in court now.) The reason the police tell people not to intervine is exactly because of what happened to Mr. Lockwood. The correct thing to do is let the robbery happen and then let the police and FBI sort things out. Mr. Lockwood unneccesarily put himself and everyone in the bank in danger. What if the robber had shot and killed Mr. Lockwood? Then what? He probably would have turned his gun on other patrons and then a hostige situation would have insued. Sorry Mr. Lockwood, but I think your on your own here.

[Jay]

As much as it is "heroic" of him to try to stop a bank robber, WHY the world would you do that? Let him get the money and go, most bank robbers don't start shooting people unless you try to stop them.

[Astonished]

Aw, come on! So now heroism comes with a price tag! Baloney! No one told him to make like Superman and stop the guy! For God's sake! Besides, it's winter and most construction jobs stop in the winter. Greed, that's all it is, pure and simple.

[Astonished]

Maybe the other people who were shot should sue Lockwood for putting their lives in danger! After all he's the one that interceded!

[Ricky]

It is to bad he was shot and wounded but, to say that the security guard is at fault for the robbery is a reach. I don't think the guard is armed so what could he have done had he even been inside the bank. He needs to sue the robber who shot him.

[bobo]

On one hand, I see the guy's need to have some way of paying his bills while recovering from his gunshot wound but on the other I see his lack of foresight to not thwart a gun toting bank robber when the risks are so high.

All in all, this just leaves a bad taste in everybody's mouth because it is a case of one person letting their lack of foresight get ahead of them and then trying to fault the other party for that shortcoming.

It's time for his wife to hit the pavement and find a way to hold the family over until his gunshot wound fully heals. I'm sure she'll tell him to never try to be so heroic or shortsighted again.

[Bob]

Mr. Lockwood was the bank robber not the now wounded hero. However, it does sound absurd that the hero, Mr. Camp, would sue for his injuries when he initiated action on his own. Had Mr. Camp captured the robber correctly, he probably wouldn't have gotten shot. Pure negligence on his part.

[Danny Gomez]

Is the bank robber going to sue Mr. Lockwood for assault now?

[Jason in Burbank]

The bank should be doing more to help this man out. He saves them thousands of dollars and they buy him lunch? If I were him I'd have tackled the jerk too. That's my money the robber's stealing. As a bank patron it hurts me if someone thinks they can just waltz in and rob my community bank.

Maybe you would like to see us living in a world where all bank tellers have to be penned in like gas station attendants: behind an inch of bullet-proof glass.

[Diogenes]

Hope he enjoyed the lunch.

[dpb]

I didn't think it was bright for trying to stop a bank robbery. Most of them end with little or no violence , and all that is lost is money that can be replaced. Interfering seemed to have caused more damage. Nothing is worth more than your life.

[Rod]

The original article said the suspect came into the bank shooting. By stopping the suspect lives were probably saved. It is unbelievable the bank does not pay for the injuries to it's patrons. I am glad I don't there. And then some would criticize the two men who prevented a greater tragedy? Shame on you.

[Scott]

Just another example of people not taking responsibility for their own actions. There is an inherent risk in getting involved in trying to subdue an armed bank robber. If you choose to get involved, as this man did, then you assume the risks of your actions. This lawsuit should be thrown out and he should have to reimburse the bank for their legal costs and the court costs incurred so the judge could throw it out. What a horrible example to set for his child as well.

[kooo]

I am pretty sure the Bank will respond with a "contributory negligence defense" to this lawsuit. As heroic as his intentions were, it was his own decision to try acting out his version of "Point Break"...

[Dirk Diggler]

I agree with all comments posted so far. Mr. Lockwood is very "fortunate" that he only got shot in the leg & was not killed by this criminal. Who would support his family now! Leave the "hero" stuff to Police Officers as they are paid to deal w/criminals. As you can see, the Bank only offered him roses & a lunch for 2. I hope that Lunch was worth the pain. Also, as mentioned, how was the Security Guard going to predict that this person was going to rob it. In that case, everyone should go through a Metal Detector before entering the bank. This way, the banks can screeen for guns!

[andy]

If I was on the jury and the case was presented as such then I would award him damages. Just my opinion.

[J in Phx]

Wanna be a tough guy and be a Hero? Do it at your own risk. Personally, I'll just abide by what they have us do and NOT risk my life in the process. Good luck with your unemployment.

[Dickie Smith]

Maybe sue the guy that shot him?
And the bank for being not ready for a robbery as the guard was not guarding.

[Delia]

I'm sorry Mr. Lockwood got shot while trying to stop a bank robber from robbing a bank and now he cant work but he should of never played hero. I'm sure he meant well in saving lifes but thats why the banks are insured for a loss due to a robbery. People need to stay out of the way and let it play out safely so no one gets injured. Maybe he seen to many Die Hard movies? I dont think he has a case.

[kb]

ridiculous. if anything the bank should sue him for putting all of its customers at risk by attacking the robber. bank employees, security, and law enforcement are all trained not to resist a robbery because innocent lives are more valuable then the cash. they are trained to comply and observe, and maybe throw in a tracking device or exploding dye pack. and law enforcement is trained to take action after the individual(s) has exited the bank to minimize the risk to civilians.

this individual is living in a movie, put himself and other patrons at risk by taking action and was subsequently seriously injured.

[Mike]

The guy should just thank God the robber was a bad shot. What a jerk! Let his workman's comp take care of it. Oh yeah, he's self imployed and hasn't been making payments.

[Joanne]

I was in a Wells Fargo bank the other day. The guard was sitting in a chair at a window, next to the door, looking at every person as they walked up to the door. Nobody got in without him taking a good look. He was in a position to lock anyone out quickly. that is a safe bank.

[surfdhey]

I feel sorry for Mr. Lockwood but as an adult YOU ARE RESPNSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN ACTION!!!! Stop being a baby and drop this nonsense.

[TheBigPicture]

That lawsuit is going nowhere...

Who in their right mind would tackle a guy with a gun...Thats worse than bringing a knife to a gunfight.

Have you ever seen those bank security guards, you know, the guys who normally has a flashlight stuffed into a gun holster...I don't think it really matters if he was inside, outside or sleeping in his car....

[Patrick Joyce]

In all, three people, including the suspect, was WERE shot and wounded during the botched robbery, police said. None of the injuries were WAS life threatening.