Jim Hook

jhook@publicopinionnews.com

WAYNESBORO - Police say a pharmacy employee shot and wounded an armed, masked robber Monday after the robber became aggressive and violent in Antietam Pharmacy, 730 S. Potomac St.

Waynesboro Police Chief Jim Sourbier said on Tuesday that Antietam Pharmacy employees showed composure and restraint during the 5:15 p.m. armed robbery when a man wearing a ski mask entered the store. He brandished a handgun and demanded money. Sourber added the man also attacked pharmacy employees and threatened their lives.

The armed man became further enraged when the money from the register did not amount to his expectations, Sourbier said. He became so hostile, aggressive and violent that an employee feared for the safety of the employees in the store.

Waynesboro business owners 'proud' of pharmacy employee's actions

One pharmacy employee then drew his concealed, legally owned handgun and fired four rounds, Sourbier said.

The would-be robber suffered multiple gunshot wounds, Sourbier said. He was taken to Waynesboro Hospital, then was airlifted to York Hospital for trauma. On Tuesday, the man remained hospitalized in critical, but stable condition.

Nobody else was injured.

"Antietam Pharmacy has been the subject of armed robbery before," Sourbier said. "They know the drill. They know how to behave. I know these folks."

The robber had driven himself to the pharmacy and had no accomplice, he said.

Sourbier declined to identify the robber, but said charges are pending against the robber as the department's investigation continues.

Shots have been fired in four incidents in Waynesboro this year. This is the first connected to an armed robbery, and the first where someone was injured. The three others were connected with fights.

Police: Drugs, firearms found in home of suspected shooter

No injuries reported in yesterday's shootings

Drive-by shooting reported in Waynesboro