The owner of a barbecue shop in Philadelphia begged for his life during an armed robbery.

The incident happened Sunday night at Phoebe’s Bar-B-Q restaurant in the 2200 block of South Street in the city’s Graduate Hospital section.

According to owner Anastasio Botsaris, an armed suspect walked into the store and demanded money. Botsaris said the gun was pointed at his face and he begged for his life.

“He kind of just looked at me in pity and I had the money in my hand and he grabbed it and he took off,” Botsaris said, fighting back tears.

Botsaris said this is the first time his store has been robbed since he opened in 1994.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police.