FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - A Fort Lauderdale convenience store clerk was shot by a suspected armed robber, police said, but not before firing back multiple times.

According to Fort Lauderdale Police, a store clerk working at Comet Food Market located at 2696 SW 8th St., near Saint Thomas High School, was confronted by an armed man wearing a mask who entered his family’s convenience store.

“There was a robbery where the suspect, an adult black male, entered the store — masked — attempted to rob the store and the clerk,” said Tracy Figone of Fort Lauderdale Police.

Police said the clerk did not want to passively stand by while his father’s convenience store was being robbed, so he opened fire at the suspect, officials said. At that moment, the suspect fired back with his weapon at the store clerk.

“Person came in the store and tried to rob us, and the clerk fired at the person that tried to rob us,” said a store employee.

Both the suspect and the store clerk suffered from bullet wounds.

The store clerk was taken to a nearby hospital after being grazed by a bullet with non-life threatening injuries. He is expected to be OK.

“He’s a good guy, you know,” said employee Lony Apollon about the clerk. “He is a very good guy and I can vouch for that. He is one of the greatest guys and a great co-worker.”

Police said the suspect was later found a few blocks away from the store and was taken into police custody. The suspect was then transported to Broward Health Medical Center after being shot more than once by the clerk.

“The clerk shot at the suspect. The suspect shot at the clerk,” said Tracy Figone of Fort Lauderdale Police. “The suspect, after being shot multiple times, fled the scene. Detectives have located the suspect.”

Comet Food Market has been in business for over 30 years.

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