Off-duty deputy shoots robbery suspect at Whataburger in Spring Suspect reported to be in critical condition

Police are shown at a scene where a robber was shot by an off-duty Harris County Sheriff's deputy after attempting to hold up a Whataburger on FM 2920 at Spring Cypress Rd. near I-45 Monday, Aug. 5, 2016 in Houston. less Police are shown at a scene where a robber was shot by an off-duty Harris County Sheriff's deputy after attempting to hold up a Whataburger on FM 2920 at Spring Cypress Rd. near I-45 Monday, Aug. 5, 2016 in ... more Photo: Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle Photo: Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 11 Caption Close Off-duty deputy shoots robbery suspect at Whataburger in Spring 1 / 11 Back to Gallery

An off-duty deputy shot and wounded one of two would-be thieves early Monday morning at a fast-food restaurant in north Harris County.

The incident happened around 2:45 a.m. at a Whataburger in the 2100 block of FM 2920 in Spring, Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Thomas Gilliland said.

Two off-duty deputies were eating at the restaurant with family members and friends when the two men walked inside. The men wore hoodies, masks and gloves. One of the suspects dashed behind the counter and punched the manager several times to make him open the cash register.

One of the deputies, who was armed, confronted the suspect who had his hand inside his hoodie as if he had gun. The deputy opened fire on the suspect, wounding him several times.

The wounded man was rushed to a nearby Memorial Hermann hospital in The Woodlands where he was listed in critical condition.

The other suspect left after the gunfire. No description of him was available.

The deputies and other people at the eatery were not hurt.

Deputies are investigating the case.