SAN ANTONIO – An East Side store clerk was shot twice during a robbery attempt late Tuesday night, San Antonio police said.
The shooting was reported around 10:30 p.m. at DMJ Grocery store in the 800 block of North New Braunfels Avenue.
According to police, two men wearing masks were attempting to rob the store when an argument broke out between one of the men and the store clerk. One of the suspects shot the store clerk, hitting him once in the arm and once in the abdomen, said police spokeswoman Jennifer Rodriguez.
Police said the clerk, a 57-year-old man, was taken to Brook Army Medical Center in stable condition. He is expected to survive.
"We are lucky the victim was able to survive his injuries. And we just ask everybody to be safe. And if it's your life or your property, always choose your life," Rodriguez said.
The two unidentified men fled without stealing anything in a red and white SUV in an unknown direction, Rodriguez said.
"We are in the process of seeing if there are any surveillance videos at the location or at or around, but they were wearing masks," Rodriguez said.
Records show the shooting at DMJ Grocery was added to the list of more than 30 calls to police at that location.
A customer, who asked not to be identified, said DMJ is one of the very few resources residents have in the area.
"This just really doesn't make sense — to take all of the stores out for unnecessary stuff, stuff that could be avoided. (It's) a little, minor spat you can walk away from. You don't have to start hiding behind the gun," the customer said.
The shooting happened across the street from Hayes Food Mart, which was temporarily closed after the city determine the store was a public nuisance, said Deputy City Attorney Jose Nino.
In almost five years, police made more than 900 service calls to Hayes Food Mart.
Hayes Food Mart will be closed for nine months, with a review after six months, Nino said. If the store is in compliance, the store could open sooner.