The video, which can be viewed below, shows a black male armed with a sawed off shotgun entering the store around 10 p.m. It shows the clerk coming from behind the counter and grabbing the barrel of the gun and giving the suspect a shove.
Gaston Police Chief Randy Griffin said the struggle continued outside of the store, which is located on Highway 46 and Bay Street.
Outside the clerk was struck three times with the gun, once on the top of the head. The clerk required six stitches. A customer and another store employee were inside the store at the time.
After the blow from the gun knocked the clerk to the pavement, the suspect, wearing a black mask, blue jeans and white sneakers, fled on foot north on Highway 46.
Griffin said he didn’t recommend confronting armed robbery suspects like the clerk did. “It’s very dangerous. He doesn’t know how lucky he was.”
Police are continuing to chase all leads. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the police department at 252-537-1047 or Northampton County Crimestoppers at 252-534-1110.
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