Melbourne Store Owner Shoots Armed Robber
Posted: 7:07 am EST November 18, 2009Updated: 10:42 am EST November 18, 2009
MELBOURNE, Fla. -- A Brevard County grocery store owner fought back against two robbers who targeted his store Tuesday night. When one of the robbers pulled out a gun the store owner pulled out a weapon of his own and opened fire.According to the police report, the two male suspects entered the Gloco Grocery store on South Harbor City Boulevard in Melbourne shortly after 6:30pm Tuesday and ordered a sandwich. The store owner, Willie J. Byrd, made the sandwich and rang the transaction up on the cash register, but instead of paying for the food the men held a gun to Byrd's head and demanded cash.
AT THE SCENE: Images Outside Grocery Store
Byrd handed the cash to the robbers and as one of the suspects took the money, the store owner pulled out his own gun and fired several rounds. One of crooks was shot in the torso."When officers arrived on the scene they observed a black male laying out in the parking lot with a wad of money in his hand," said Commander Ron Bell, Melbourne Police Department.A bystander snapped a cell phone picture of the suspect who was shot as he lay in pain in the store's parking lot before emergency responders arrived. (see picture)The injured suspect was taken to Holmes Regional Medical Center to be treated for his gunshot wound.The other suspect got away on foot before police or Byrd's armed daughter arrived."It is my understanding the daughter does have a business across the street and that she did come over after hearing several shots being fired," said Commander Bell.The Gloco Grocery store was open for business as usual Wednesday morning. Eyewitness News requested an interview with Byrd but the store owner said that he did not want to be on camera and added that he just wants to forget about the whole incident.Melbourne police say they do not have any information available yet about the suspect who was shot. The suspect who fled the scene is still on the loose. Investigators are asking anyone who may have information about the suspect who got away to call Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.
AT THE SCENE: Images Outside Grocery Store
Byrd handed the cash to the robbers and as one of the suspects took the money, the store owner pulled out his own gun and fired several rounds. One of crooks was shot in the torso."When officers arrived on the scene they observed a black male laying out in the parking lot with a wad of money in his hand," said Commander Ron Bell, Melbourne Police Department.A bystander snapped a cell phone picture of the suspect who was shot as he lay in pain in the store's parking lot before emergency responders arrived. (see picture)The injured suspect was taken to Holmes Regional Medical Center to be treated for his gunshot wound.The other suspect got away on foot before police or Byrd's armed daughter arrived."It is my understanding the daughter does have a business across the street and that she did come over after hearing several shots being fired," said Commander Bell.The Gloco Grocery store was open for business as usual Wednesday morning. Eyewitness News requested an interview with Byrd but the store owner said that he did not want to be on camera and added that he just wants to forget about the whole incident.Melbourne police say they do not have any information available yet about the suspect who was shot. The suspect who fled the scene is still on the loose. Investigators are asking anyone who may have information about the suspect who got away to call Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.
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