St. Louis, Missouri — Newly released surveillance footage is drawing renewed attention to a controversial robbery case involving two Starbucks employees who helped stop an armed holdup, only to lose their jobs weeks later.
The dramatic incident unfolded at a Starbucks location near the campus of St. Louis University in December 2023, when two masked men entered the store and attempted to rob employees and customers.
While the suspects were eventually subdued and later convicted, the aftermath sparked debate over workplace safety policies after Starbucks terminated the two workers involved in stopping the robbery.
Armed Men Stormed Into Store During Robbery Attempt
According to surveillance footage, two hooded men entered the coffee shop and immediately created a tense and frightening situation.
One suspect pointed what appeared to be a firearm at workers behind the counter as employees and a customer complied with demands and dropped to the floor.
The suspects then moved toward the cash register while employees attempted to follow instructions.
Worker Michael Harris was stationed at the drive-thru area and tried to assist by accessing the register system. However, he said he lacked the authority needed to open the cash drawer.
Moments later, the situation escalated.
Employee Says He Feared for His Life
Harris said one of the suspects struck him in the back of the head with what appeared to be a gun.
The impact briefly affected his vision and left him fearing the encounter could turn deadly.
“After that point, like when my vision went black, I was like ‘I’m about to get shot,’” Harris said.
“It was definitely a life or death situation in my eyes.”
As tensions intensified, fellow employee Devin Jones-Ransom noticed one of the suspects lower his weapon. Seeing an opportunity, he tackled the individual and slammed him into a drive-thru window.
During the struggle, the weapon broke apart. According to Harris, employees quickly realized the gun was not real.
“The trigger broke off when they hit him with it,” Harris said.
“My coworker announced that it was a fake gun right as he got it off of him and that’s when we jumped and started to fight them a little more.”
Robbers Overpowered and Later Convicted
Security footage captured the intense struggle that followed as the employees fought with the suspects inside the store.
Authorities later identified the suspects as Joshua Noe and Marquis Porter-Doyle.
The confrontation ended with Noe being restrained at the scene while Porter-Doyle fled. Both men were eventually arrested, prosecuted, and sentenced to prison following robbery convictions.
The successful defense of the store received significant public attention, with many praising the employees’ actions.
However, the story took another unexpected turn in the weeks that followed.
Starbucks Fired Both Employees
Harris said he received a phone call from Starbucks several weeks after the incident informing him that his employment had been terminated.
“Once the media died down, they told me they were terminating me,” Harris said.
“I was surprised. I was distraught. I was confused.”
Jones-Ransom was also reportedly terminated.
Starbucks later explained that the employees violated company safety policies designed to protect workers and customers during dangerous situations.
According to the company, employees are instructed to comply with robbers’ demands and avoid taking actions that could increase risks.
“In high-stress situations like this, our priority is ensuring the safety of everyone in our stores,” Starbucks said in a statement.
End of an Era: Chicago’s Iconic Lou Malnati’s Flagship is Closing After 15 Years
The company added that while the circumstances were frightening, adherence to safety protocols remains essential.
Debate Continues Over Workplace Safety Policies
The case has sparked ongoing discussion about how employees should respond during violent crimes.
Supporters of the fired workers argue they acted in self-defense during what they believed was a life-threatening situation.
Harris’ attorney, Ryan Krupp, criticized the company’s policy and questioned whether workers should be penalized for protecting themselves when they believe their lives are in danger.
The debate highlights the difficult balance many businesses face between enforcing safety procedures and responding to unpredictable real-world emergencies.
What do you think?
Should employees who defend themselves during an apparent life-threatening robbery face disciplinary action for violating company policy, or should exceptions be made in situations like this?
Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.