Deputies looking for armed man who reportedly shot Lowe's employee while shoplifting

PHOTOS: Police looking for suspect accused of shooting Lowe's employee The Harris County Precinct 6 Constable's Office released surveillance images of a suspect accused of shooting a Lowe's employee Tuesday while shoplifting at the store. >>> See more images of the suspect less PHOTOS: Police looking for suspect accused of shooting Lowe's employee The Harris County Precinct 6 Constable's Office released surveillance images of a suspect accused of shooting a Lowe's employee Tuesday ... more Photo: Harris County Precinct 6 Constable's Office Photo: Harris County Precinct 6 Constable's Office Image 1 of / 24 Caption Close Deputies looking for armed man who reportedly shot Lowe's employee while shoplifting 1 / 24 Back to Gallery

A Lowe's employee was hospitalized in stable condition Tuesday morning after an armed shoplifter shot him while stealing a drill from the store at 1000 Gulfgate Center Mall, police said.

Chief Deputy Lillian Lozano said shooting occurred around 11:30 a.m. when the suspect was about to walk out with the drill.

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She said the 59-year-old employee met the suspect at the door and was shot in the abdomen. The victim eventually underwent surgery at Memorial Hermann hospital and is expected to be OK, she said.

The suspect, meanwhile, fled the scene on foot toward Telephone Road. He wasn't seen getting into a vehicle, she said. She said she didn't know the type of weapon he used, but deputies are asking residents not to approach the man if they see him.

"It's very important for the public to contact us if anyone can identify the person of interest," she said.

The Harris County Precinct 6 Constable's Office did not provide a detailed description of the suspect pictured in the released surveillance images on Tuesday. Anyone with information can call the office at 713-274-3400.

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 | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message