Hans Schlichter, 34, died October 3 at Circle Centre Mall. Schlichter, a German citizen, worked for Zeradyne Software, a German video game manufacturer. He was giving a demonstration of the firm's newest arcade game, Zombie Survival, at the time of his death. Schlichter was showing his audience of mostly teenage boys the blue plastic, orange-tipped, gun-shaped controller for the game when he was shot dead by mall security guard Evan Wilson. Wilson, who is not authorized to carry a firearm in the course of his duties, told reporters, "That guy had a gun, and looked like he was holding a bunch of kids hostage. So I acted! I'm a damn hero!" Schlichter, who had no criminal record in his home country, is survived by a wife and two young daughters. Wilson was adamant that he had saved the day. "The guy was German, he had a beard, his name was even Hans! Come on, Die Hard was just on last night! What was I supposed to do? He was clearly a terrorist!" As IMPD officers led Wilson away, he said, "Oh, you guys taking me downtown to give me a medal? Maybe make me a special deputy? Cool. Because I sure did you guys' job for you! Yeah, Evan Wilson is the man!" With a turn toward the gurney bearing Schlichter's body away from the stunned and weeping children who attended the demonstration, Wilson added, "Yippee-kay-yay, mother fucker!"
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