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Flower vendor shot in arm at I-75 and Main exit ramp

Ex-marine vows to be back on job today

Rick Sowa stands at the Main Street or Grand Avenue exit ramps from I-75 southbound selling flowers to motorists for 12-14 hours a day in all kinds of weather.

Bill Reinke/Dayton Daily News Rick Sowa stands at the Main Street or Grand Avenue exit ramps from I-75 southbound selling flowers to motorists for 12-14 hours a day in all kinds of weather.

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Photos: Flower man shot in the arm

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By Steve Bennish, Staff Writer Updated 12:11 PM Thursday, October 21, 2010

DAYTON — A street vendor who for at least 20 years has been a familiar sight selling flowers at the Main Street exit ramp off Interstate 75 was shot by would-be robbers around 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, according to police.

Officers say Rick Sowa was shot in the upper arm and was rushed to Miami Valley Hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

Sowa told police a car pulled up and someone demanded money from him. When he refused, he was shot with a small-caliber weapon. The vehicle then got back onto I-75 heading south, Sgt. Richard Blommel said. Police didn’t immediately have a suspect vehicle description. Sowa approached a vehicle stopped at the red light, and the driver called 911.

Blommel said he was shocked by the crime.

“We have punks with guns who don’t care who they shoot,” he said.

Sowa could be seen at the ramp at all times of the day and night sporting a thick mustache and often wearing a worn NY Yankees sock cap and grungy pea coat. He toted two buckets of red, yellow, white and pink roses.

James Young, who often encounters Sowa on his way from work said, “He’s never hurt anyone. I’m shocked. He’s a gentle man.”

In a February 2005 Dayton Daily News profile, Sowa said he had been a crime victim before. That year, three youths approached, one brandishing a handgun, and demanded money. Sowa said he had no intention of relinquishing a dollar of his hard-earned money. The three, ages 18 and 19, were apprehended a short time later after Dayton police Officer David Matthews, who happened to be exiting I-75 on his way to work, witnessed the robbery attempt.

Sowa, a former Marine corporal, said he has worked in warehouses, and also performed roof work until his knees gave out. He said the flower vending business was tough going.

“I barely live,” he said. “If I don’t make money, I don’t eat.”

Sowa said he’d seen it all from his vantage point.

“I seen a naked woman on Grand. I seen people shooting up (drugs) in cars. Men shaving. Playing with computers,” and the most irritating to Sowa, “talking on the phone.”

Sowa, released from the hospital late Wednesday, vowed to police he’d be back on the job today.

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