WORCESTER, MASS. (WHDH) - A Worcester store clerk shot a would-be robber three times over the weekend after he held a customer hostage with a large knife, police said.
Officers responding to 49 Vernon St. Saturday around 8:40 p.m. found 26-year-old Juan Ahorrio, of Worcester, suffering from three non-life-threatening gunshot wounds, police said. A clerk at the No Name Grocery shot Ahorrio as he attempted to rob the store, according to police.
The store clerk said he pulled out his personal firearm when Ahorrio held a knife to a female customer’s neck. When the customer dropped to the ground, the clerk fired three rounds at Ahorrio, prompting him to drop his knife and flee the store.
The clerk chased after him and ordered him to the ground before checking on the customers inside the store.
Worcester EMS arrived and treated Ahorrio for his wounds before transporting him to a local hospital. The clerk and two female customers were not hurt.
Detectives recovered the knife used in the attack at the scene, police said.
Worcester residents said the alarming attempted robbery left them rattled.
“I was very shocked that somebody in our neighborhood would do this to our own store,” said Amy Berkquest, who heard the gunfire.
Ahorrio was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault with a dangerous weapon and armed assault with the intent to rob. His arraignment will be based on when he is released from the hospital.
“Unfortunately, he had got shot and now he has to deal with the consequences,” concerned customer Ron Presley said.
“Now, he’ll sit on it in the hospital and when he goes to jail, trust me, he’ll wake up.”
The investigation into the incident is ongoing and police say additional charges may be filed.
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