(NC) Store clerk kills robber in wild shootout 02-26-05
Dateline Alabama
Address:http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050226/APN/502260554&cachetime=3&template=dateline

Shoe-store clerk kills would-be robber
The Associated Press
February 26, 2005

A shoe-store clerk shot to death a man attempting to rob his store
Friday, authorities said.

One of the customers, Ramon Lopez, was shopping in the $29.99 Shoe
Warehouse with his 4-year-old son just before 4 p.m. when three or four
men wearing ski masks came in with guns and announced they were robbing
the store.

“It was mad, crazy,” Lopez said. “One came to the back and started
searching us. I said, `Please don?t shoot my son.?”

The robbers started shooting and then the clerk grabbed a gun and fired
back, Lopez said. The name of the clerk was not available Friday night.

One of the robbers was hit and fell in the doorway. The others – at
least one of whom was hit by gunfire – took a car at gunpoint in a
parking lot next door and then fled, Officer Mandy Giannini said.

About 10 people had been in the store.

“The (clerk) did a good job. He saved us,” Lopez said. “He saved
my kid.
He saved our lives.”

The man shot in the doorway was rushed to Carolinas Medical Center,
where he died, Sgt. Donn Belz said. Another man, who police believe is
one of the suspects, showed up at Presbyterian Hospital with a gunshot
wound.
He was taken to surgery with life-threatening injuries.
—
Information from: The Charlotte Observer,