“A Des Moines pizza delivery driver who was suspended after he shot an alleged armed robber said today that he has been fired. James William Spiers III, 38, said Pizza Hut officials asked for his resignation in exchange for at least two months’ pay and counseling. ‘I was terminated, but they’re not going to kick me to the curb,’ he said. ‘When they terminated me, I had asked I they could provide me with counseling. That’s all I asked for.’ Spiers fired multiple shots at a man who allegedly put a gun to his head on March 28 and demanded money at the Sutton Hill Apartments, 2100 S.E. King Ave. The suspect, Kenneth Jimmerson, 19, was arrested when he later called for medical help. Jimmerson, who police say suffered at least three gunshot wounds, survived his injuries and faces a first-degree robbery charge. Melanie Stout, 18, who allegedly called in the pizza order, is charged with conspiracy. Spiers, who has a valid handgun permit, said it was the first time in 10 years on the job that he had been a robbery victim. Public reaction was immediate and overwhelmingly in favor of Spiers. But Vonnie Walbert, vice president of human resources at Pizza Hut’s corporate offices in Dallas, said earlier this month that employees are not allowed to carry guns ‘because we believe that that is the safest for everybody.’ … A state senator said he would stop buying Pizza Hut products if the pizza chain fired Spiers. Register readers threatened similar boycotts.” (04/18/08)