Early Wednesday morning, a store clerk turned the tables during an attempted robbery at Twins Food Market in North Memphis, firing a shot that struck one of the assailants, according to FOX13 Memphis. Memphis Police were called to the scene just after 3:30 a.m. at the corner of Manassas Street and Jackson Avenue, where two men had entered the store with the intent to rob it.
Police say that during the altercation, the clerk was pushed to the ground and punched. It was at this point, the suspect attempted to take the clerk's gun, prompting the clerk to shoot the suspect. Following the incident, both suspects fled the location but were eventually apprehended, with one found at Regional One Health where he had sought treatment for his wounds. In what appears to be a contentious turn of events, the wounded suspect claimed to officers that he entered the store to purchase chips and was shot while attempting to "disarm" the employee during a subsequent argument, as reported by Local Memphis.
According to the original report by Action News 5, the store owner defended himself after being assaulted. "The suspect got on top of the victim and attempted to take his gun," the report details. In defense, "The victim then used his gun and shot the suspect," after which both suspects escaped from the store.
The Memphis Police Department confirmed that both individuals involved in the incident were eventually placed in custody. The narrative of the attempted robbery has been pieced together through a combination of store surveillance, witness accounts, and the suspects' statements. Especially considering the claim by the suspect that he was merely trying to purchase chips when the altercation unfolded. Whether this version of events holds up against the evidence remains to be seen as the investigation progresses.
