Two teenage robbery suspects were killed Saturday night after a liquor store employee shot them during an attempted robbery in the Auburn-Gresham neighborhood on Chicago's South Side.

The suspects were identified as 15-year-old Keshawn Marzette and 17-year-old William Larson, according to the Cook County medical examiner.



Shortly after 8 p.m., Marzette and Larson entered the Z&S Food and Liquor store on the 1300 block of West 87th Street and announced the robbery, according to investigators.



The teens showed a handgun, at which point an employee also withdrew a gun, shooting the suspects and fatally wounding both, according to police.



The owners are known to defend their store, according to neighbors.

“They don't mess with nobody so for them to come in that store and mess with them is really messed up,” said Anthony Nichols. “Everybody in the neighborhood knows better than that.”



Police have not confirmed any previous robberies or shootings at Z&S Food and Liquor.



Investigators have not said if the store owner was licensed to carry a gun, but they have not announced any charges.