1993 Darwin Awards

Named in honor of Charles Darwin, the father of evolution, the Darwin Awards commemorate those who improve our gene pool by removing themselves from it.

Wrong Time, Wrong Place  1990 Darwin Award Nominee Confirmed True by Darwin

3 February 1990, Washington The following mind-boggling attempt at a crime spree appeared to be the robber's first, due to his lack of a previous record of violence, and his terminally stupid choices: 1. His target was H&J Leather & Firearms. A gun shop. 2. The shop was full of customers - firearms customers. 3. To enter the shop, the robber had to step around a marked police patrol car parked at the front door. 4. A uniformed officer was standing at the counter, having coffee before work. Upon seeing the officer, the would-be robber announced a holdup, and fired a few wild shots. The officer and a clerk promptly returned fire, covered by several customers who also drew their guns, thereby removing the confused criminal from the gene pool. No one else was hurt. Illustrated by Zeebarf Submitted by: Gary Nach and Marcus Donner Reference: Lyle Price and Robert Jones of the South County Journal

Marcus Donner confirms this story! "I'm the photo editor of the South County Journal newspaper and also a long time fan of the Darwin Awards. I received your book as a Christmas Gift and recognized this award as a story we reported in February, 1990, about the man who attempts to rob a gun store in Washington after walking past a parked police car. I pulled our clip file this morning to confirm my memory and see that we ran several stories on the incident." Darwin has the clips in her possession.

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