LOWELL, MASS. (WHDH) - Police are looking for an armed suspect who tried to rob a store in Lowell but took off when the clerk opened fire.
The clerk at Valentina’s Market said he was in the back of the store when the would-be robber came in and pointed a gun at his aunt around 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
The clerk, who has a license to carry, added that he came out with his gun and fired several shots at the man. He did not believe he hit the suspect.
“You have a couple seconds to think and you have to be on your toes, so you don’t have time to make mistakes. You have a very small opportunity to get a shot off and protect your family, so that’s what I did,” the clerk told 7News.
The suspect fell to the ground and the clerk said he ordered the individual to get out.
“I gave him the chance to leave with his life. Around the holidays, it’s tough. People get desperate because they have children and probably want quick money. But that’s not the right way to do it,” the clerk said.
Bullet holes could be seen in the walls inside the store. The clerk turned over surveillance video to the police.
“Hopefully they learn their lesson. Maybe they’ll thank god that they survived and think twice before trying to make an easy buck,” the clerk said.
Surveillance footage showed a heavyset man wearing a black jacket with white stripes on the sleeves.
There is no indication at this point that the owner will face any charges for defending himself.
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