Clerk shot during robbery at south Houston gas station

Police investigate a shooting early Thursday, May 23, during a robbery at a south Houston gas station. A clerk was shot in the incident, police said. Police investigate a shooting early Thursday, May 23, during a robbery at a south Houston gas station. A clerk was shot in the incident, police said. Photo: Metro Video Photo: Metro Video Image 1 of / 11 Caption Close Clerk shot during robbery at south Houston gas station 1 / 11 Back to Gallery

A gas station clerk was shot early Thursday during a robbery at the store in south Houston, according to police.

He is expected to survive, police said, and the lone suspect remains at large.

Houston police investigators said the man entered the store shortly after midnight in the 3800 block of South Loop East.

The suspect confronted the clerk started fighting with him, police said. During the altercation, the suspect fired at least one round from a handgun, striking the clerk.

The suspect took money from the store and fled on foot, police said. The clerk, meanwhile, was taken to a nearby hospital. Police believe he was shot in the upper torso.

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Investigators described the suspect as a black male about 5 foot 10 inches to 6 feet tall. He would be in his late 20s to early 30s and weigh anywhere from 170 to 180 pounds, police said.

He was wearing burgundy pants and a "bucket-type" hat during the robbery, police said. Police are expected to release surveillance images of the suspect later today.

Julian Gill is a digital reporter in Houston. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | julian.gill@chron.com | NEWS WHEN YOU NEED IT: Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message | Sign up for breaking news alerts delivered to your email here.