Clerk Shoots Robbery Suspect

December 6, 2004
WBNS10TV.com

A gas station clerk fought back when a suspect tried to rob her store.

The Franklin County sheriff's department says Desmond Thompson walked into a Sunoco station on Cleveland Avenue around 7:30 Sunday morning, and told the clerk he had a gun while demanding cash.

The cashier gave him the money, but pulled a gun and shot Thompson when he told her to step out from behind the counter.

"Once he ordered her from behind the counter, she had no idea what he was thinking... what he was planning on doing or anything like that. So, she just defended herself with the gun," said Franklin County Sheriff's Detective Drew McEvoy.

The clerk was not facing any charges Sunday night. Thompson was still hospitalized for a gunshot wound to his left shoulder. He was facing robbery charges. Detective McEvoy said Thompson has a previous criminal record in Michigan.

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