PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – An armed robber was shot in the face by the teen son of one of his victims, according to police. The chain of events began around 9:30 Thursday evening when three armed men robbed the CVS pharmacy at North Broad and Spring Garden streets.
At least one of the trio went straight to the Bold Pizza Shop at North 15th and Spring Garden streets with the intent of robbing it. When the robber forcibly reached over the counter and tried to take cash from the register, the employee got into a physical struggle with him. The suspect began to strangle the employee, and the victim’s son grabbed a handgun from under the counter and shot the offender once in the face.
“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. From following the trail of blood, we also found some cash in the subway where the victim was found,” said Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small.
Investigators followed a trail of blood down the stairs of a SEPTA subway station at Broad and Spring Garden streets, finding the 33-year-old male suspect there. Small said. The suspect was rushed to an area hospital where he was listed in critical condition. He has not been identified and will likely face charges if he survives the shooting.
The pizza shop did not open for business on Friday. Neighbors realize that the employee’s son, a 14-year-old, was protecting 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. Neighbor Raina Harris added, “I am very proud and it’s 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.”
Police say that the pharmacy’s surveillance video showed a suspect in that crime that matched the description of the injured man. No one at the pharmacy or the pizza shop sustained any injuries, and the investigation is continuing, as is the search for the other two suspects in the pharmacy robbery who remain at large.
We’ve had dozens, if not hundreds, of bad and sad stories involving teens and guns in major cities, but in this case a clear-thinking and quick-acting 14-year-old was able to not only thwart a crime but also saved the life of his parent in the process.
