A man armed with an AK-47 robbed several customers at a Dallas-area Waffle House before he was shot in the restaurant parking lot by a man carrying a licensed handgun, police said.

The suspected robber, Antoine Devon Cooper, 26, entered the Waffle House in Desoto at 2:30 a.m. Thursday, July 7, police said in a news release.

After allegedly holding up several customers, Cooper exited the restaurant.

A customer armed with a pistol—worried because his wife was headed to the restaurant—followed Cooper outside and called out to the robber.

Cooper had robbed the Desoto, Texas Waffle House and several customers before one of them, fearing for his wife's safety, followed Cooper to the parking lot and shot him. (Google Earth)

When Cooper turned around and pointed the rifle in the man’s direction, the customer shot Cooper several times, police said.

Cooper remains on life support following the shooting.

Police have not filed charges against the unidentified customer who shot Cooper.

Cooper's tattoos were used to identify him. (DeSoto Police Department)

An investigation into the incident is ongoing and will be referred to a grand jury.

Images showing the suspect’s tattoos were used to identify him.

Texas law permits the use of deadly force if a person believes their life, or the lives of others, are in danger or could face serious bodily injury or unlawfully entered a occupied habitation, vehicle, place of business or employment.