An employee of a Philadelphia convenience store was forced to shoot back earlier this week when two armed men tried to rob her shop. Unfortunately for her, she was also shot several times in the attempted robbery.
According to reports, she was shot as many as four times at around 4 a.m. Tuesday morning in the upper thigh. She was in critical condition when first responders took her to Jefferson Torresdale Hospital.
Police say they found two guns at the location, likely the 32-year-old clerk’s gun and one belonging to one of the robbers. “He had a big gun,” said corner store manager Sammy Aloubehi.
“As soon as they went behind the counter and pointed the gun at the clerk, that’s when the clerk was able to pull her own weapon,” said Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small. “I don’t know who fired first, but clearly there was a shootout between the two.”
“We believe that the reason one of the perpetrators dropped his weapon on the scene is that he may have been struck by gunfire,” Small said.
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“She was a brave, young woman involved in a shootout with two males that were armed with guns. She stood her ground. We’re hoping for the best for her,” he added.
Later in the morning, a suspect matching the perp’s description was dropped off at another local hospital. The man also had multiple gunshot wounds.
“About 45 minutes after this incident took place, we were notified that a shooting victim showed up at Temple Hospital. That shooting victim was shot several times,” Small said.
Police are still on the lookout for the second suspect.