Gas station clerk shoots armed suspect, police say

TAMPA (FOX 13) - Gean Alano says his co-worker, who shot a suspected robber, did the right thing.

"I think he's a hero," said Alano.

Tampa police say early Friday morning a clerk working at the Sunoco Gas Station on East Hillsborough Avenue and 34th Street was robbed at gunpoint.

But the clerk, they say, pulled out his own gun.

"He was standing his ground like people say. Like the law says," said Alano.

Lieutenant Ricardo Ubinas says the confrontation ended up outside.

"The suspect turned and pointed his firearm at the clerk. At that point in time the clerk then fired at the suspect," said Lt. Ubinas.

The clerk fired several shots, hitting the crook in the leg. But it didn't end there.

Police say the robber ran across the street after being shot. The clerk followed him and held him there at gunpoint until police arrived.

Lt. Ubinas says the clerk had every right to defend himself.

"This is typical self-defense stuff. If somebody is threatening you with a gun, a clerk... or the general public, you have right to protect yourself," said Ubinas.

Customers like Otis Williams heard about the clerk's quick actions and had nothing but praise for him.

"I think he did what he was supposed to do to protect himself, first of all, and God Bless him," said Williams.