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Academy Sports rehires assistant manager after drawing national attention

Academy Sports rehires assistant manager after drawing national attention
Academy Sports rehires assistant manager after drawing national attention
Posted at 3:15 PM, Jul 13, 2018
and last updated 2018-07-13 13:49:52-04

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - The assistant manager of Tallahassee's Academy Sports who was fired after tackling a suspect trying to steal a handgun, has been rehired. 

According to his attorney, Dean Crouch spoke to the head of the Texas-based store Friday and has been reemployed. 

Crouch was fired after he tackled suspect, Jason White, to keep him from leaving the store with a stolen gun on June 29 after he allegedly threatened to shoot people.


TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - The assistant manager of Tallahassee's Academy Sports was fired after tackling a suspect, accused of stealing a handgun last week.

Dean Crouch stopped Jason White from leaving the store with a gun from the firearms counter on June 29.

White had allegedly threatened to shoot people.

Crouch said he was immediately suspended for investigation after the incident.

He then received a phone call Tuesday from the District Manager of Academy Sports and was informed that he was fired.

Crouch says he is devastated about Academy Sport's decision, because all he was trying to do was stop a man from trying to hurt someone.

"I was really dumbfounded honestly, that Academy would do something like this. I worked so hard for Academy, put some blood, sweat, and tears into this place," said Crouch. "I had great staff and for them to come through and fire me over trying to protect the community, it really hurts me personally."

Crouch said he is considering filing a lawsuit. We have reached out to Academy Sports for comment and are awaiting a call back.