Employee Shot During Attempted Robbery In Ross Township
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - A young man remains in intensive care today, recovering after being shot in the back during an attempted robbery at a Ross Township business on Tuesday night.
The call came in around 8 p.m. of a shooting at The Exchange in the 4800-block of McKnight Road.
KDKA's Heather Abraham Reports:
Police say a 23-year-old employee at the store was shot during a holdup.
Ross Twp. Detective Brian Kohlhepp says the suspect demanded money, and "became flustered when a store clerk couldn't get the cash register opened, and he fired a shot, striking the employee."
The man was taken to Allegheny General Hospital, where family says he is in critical but guarded condition.
The suspect ran away from the scene on foot.
"His face was covered, he had a hood up, so we don't have much of a description of skin color or age," said Detective Kohlhepp. "One of the nice things, when it's in a large retail corridor, there is a lot of surveillance video. So we are trying to collect as much surveillance video and witness statements as we can."
KDKA's Ralph Iannotti Reports:
The only description they have is that the man was 5'8" and wearing all dark clothing.
The Exchange sells music, movies, video games and other collectibles. They are closed today following last night's robbery.
The victim's father spoke to KDKA's Heather Abraham on Wednesday and said that his son needed a swipe card from a manager, who was in the back, to get into the register. His son said the suspect grew impatient and fired a shot before leaving.
"I call him a coward, a dirty coward to shoot someone in the back," said Jerry Allen. "Twenty-three-years-old, who loves his job and he's trying to help us make ends meet here."
Allen says his son had bleeding in his lungs and the bullet is lodged in his back.
"He'll have to be in a back brace for six to eight weeks," Allen said. "But we're not sure if they'll have to do any surgery yet."
Ross Township Police also confirmed that they are working with Monroeville Police in the investigation. There was a robbery recently at The Exchange location in Monroeville and police are investigating to see if it could be the same suspect.
KDKA's Brenda Waters reports:
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