BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Buffalo police are investigating after they say a man shot a store clerk and was then shot by an officer during an armed robbery on Buffalo's West Side.
The incident occurred just before 8:45 p.m. on Wednesday. According to police, officers arrived at the 7-Eleven at Prospect Avenue and Connecticut Street as customers, and as they approached the door, they observed an armed robbery in progress.
"I would say that they were probably as surprised as the clerk to be robbed, and the suspect to see the police after he was leaving the store," Interim Police Commissioner Craig Macy said.
Police said the suspect shot the store clerk and then pointed his gun at one of the officers as he fled the store. The officer opened fire, shooting the man in the arm.
The man then ran down Prospect Avenue, stole a car in a possible carjacking, then drove three blocks north until he crashed into multiple parked cars, where police surrounded him and took him into custody, according to Macy.
WATCH: Man shot store clerk, then was shot by police during armed robbery on Buffalo's West Side
The store clerk, who was shot in the upper thigh, and the suspect were both transported to ECMC. The clerk was treated and released.
The suspect remained hospitalized on Thursday. Charges have not been filed. He was described as a 42-year-old Buffalo man who is on parole following a violent felony conviction.
Frank Santiago, who lives on Prospect Avenue, said he was watching the Sabres game on TV inside his home when he heard a boom outside.
He said he saw a mangled car on a neighbor's lawn and police surrounding the vehicle.
"The cops told the guy: Stay in the car, stay in the car," Santiago said. "I don't know if he was trying to get out and flee. They told us to get back in the house and get away from the windows."
