Police say a man was able to get control of a gun wielded by a would-be robber and shoot the assailant multiple times outside of Villa Main Apartments.

The brazen attack occurred at approximately 6:51 p.m. Monday at the apartments at 901 Main Ave.

Port Arthur Police Det. Mike Hebert said three people pulled up into the apartment complex parking lot when two men approached the driver’s side door, opened it, pulled out a firearm and attempted to rob them.

“The driver grabbed the gun and in the ensuing wrestling match, was (also) shot,” Hebert said.

The victim, age 19 of Port Arthur, was able to get control of the weapon and shoot the suspect, also age 19 of Port Arthur, in the upper and lower parts of his body.

Police declined to say how many times the suspect was shot, saying it is part of the ongoing investigation.

When the men were tussling over the weapon, the second assailant fled on foot. It is unknown if he was shot.

The suspect with the multiple gunshot wounds was brought by helicopter to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston and listed in critical but stable condition. A PAPD detective traveled to Houston to speak with the man, but details are not available.

The victim/driver sustained a gunshot wound to the arm and was brought to Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Police were initially called to the apartment complex in reference to shots fired, and that’s when they found the man who was shot multiple times.

PAPD’s Criminal Investigations Division is handling the case.