Gun owner killed trying to stop Houston pawn shop robbery

Houston police are asking anyone with information about these pawn shop robbery suspects to call the Houston Police Department Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Houston Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477). Houston police are asking anyone with information about these pawn shop robbery suspects to call the Houston Police Department Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Houston Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477). Photo: Houston Police Department Photo: Houston Police Department Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Gun owner killed trying to stop Houston pawn shop robbery 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

A gun owner was shot and killed while trying to intervene in a pawn shop robbery Wednesday in southwest Houston.

Two masked men entered the EZ Pawn store in the 6000 block of Bellaire Boulevard around 7:50 p.m., forcing employees to the ground and rushing to the back of the store, according to the Houston Police Department. The victim, who police said had a concealed handgun license, waited inside for the suspected robbers to return to the front of the store.

Once they came to the front, the victim pulled his gun and exchanged gunfire with the two suspects, police said. The victim was struck several times and fell to the floor, according to detectives.

The two suspects fled the scene. It is unclear if either of them was shot.

Paramedics rushed the injured gun owner to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His identity was not immediately released.

Both suspects are only described as black males in their early to mid-20s, according to detectives.

The first suspect was wearing a white jacket with a gray hood, blue sweat pants, white shoes and a black mask. The second suspect was wearing a gray hoodie, red mask, white pants and white shoes.

Police are asking anyone with information about the suspects to call the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Houston Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477).

Jay R. Jordan covers breaking news in the Houston area. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com | Follow him on Twitter at @JayRJordan | Email him at jay.jordan@chron.com