Staff report

A robber and customer exchanged gunfire Sunday evening during an aggravated robbery at a College Street convenience store.

Beaumont police said officers responded to a call at 5:44 p.m. at Smiles Convenience Store, 6855 College St. There, a suspect described as a black male, wearing all black, a hoodie and bandana, 5-foot-8 or 5-foot-9, slim build and carrying a silver and black revolver, entered the store.

Police said a customer saw the suspect robbing the clerk at gunpoint, ran to his vehicle and retrieved a firearm. The customer shot at the suspect through the front glass window and into the store. The suspect fired back, then shot the glass out of a west side door to exit the business.

The customer was not injured and it appears the suspect may not have been injured. Officers called for a K-9 and a track led officers to Park Shadows Apartment complex at 1075 Pinchback Road. Officers were unable to locate the suspect, who had taken money and some Swisher brand cigars before fleeing.

Beaumont police ask anyone who has information about this aggravated robbery to contact Southeast Texas Crime Stoppers at 409-833-TIPS or download the P3 TIPS app and use your cell phone to submit your tip.

All tips are anonymous and you could earn a cash reward.