Firearms Owners Against Crime
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The 14-year-old son of a Philadelphia pizza shop employee shot an armed robbery suspect who started choking one of his parents, police say.
Police say the series of incidents unfolded around 9:30 p.m. Thursday when three men robbed the CVS pharmacy at North Broad and Spring Garden in the Spring Garden section of the city.
Moments later, police say at least one of those men went a block away to rob the Bold Pizza Shop at 15th and Spring Garden.
Employees say the man forcibly reached over the counter and tried to take cash from the register.
A struggle ensued between an employee and the robbery suspect when the offender started to strangle the victim.
The victim's 14-year-old son grabbed a handgun from under the counter and shot the offender one time in the face, police said.
"There was money on the floor and there was also some broken glass inside the store, and there was also a large amount of blood," said Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small.
The pizza shop was closed on Friday.
Some people who live nearby said they understand the teen was just trying to protect his parent.
"I think most people would do that in that situation to protect someone they love and they're being threatened so violently," said Nina Adams.
"I am very proud and its kind of sad that a 14-year-old had to shoot the suspect, but it was quick thinking and I'm glad they were able to catch the person so fast," said Raina Harris.
Investigators say they followed a trail of blood down the stairs of a SEPTA subway station at Broad and Spring Garden.
Police say that's where they found the 33-year-old male suspect.
"From following the trail of blood, we also found some cash in the subway where the victim was found," Small said.
The suspect was rushed to an area hospital where he was placed in critical condition.
According to police, surveillance video from the pharmacy matched the description of the injured suspect. Police are still looking for two suspects in connection with that crime.
The man who was shot has not been identified. No other injuries were reported.
https://6abc.com/philadelphia-shooting-spring-garden-broad-street-robbery-pizza-shop/11318485/