Dallas Store Owner Shoots & Kills Robbery Suspect
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - A suspected robbery in Dallas ends with deadly gunfire. Now, some are questioning if the shooter will face charges.
The front doors of the Shop-N-Go, in the 4900 block of Columbia Avenue at Collett Avenue, were closed and locked on Monday. It's unclear if or when the store will open.
According to Dallas police, it was around 9:30 Tuesday night when several men entered and tried to steal money. Police say at least one of the suspects had a weapon.
Owner Bunthan Te said he was in the store working with his wife when everything happened. Te said the suspects jumped over the counter and tried to get to the cash register, which is where his wife also happened to be. Te explained that he saw everything from the back of the store and and when he tried to get his gun out -- it got stuck. He said he moved even further back, into the store cooler, when at least one of the suspects starting shooting.
Ultimately the storeowner said he was able to get his gun out and return fire. Te said it wasn't until he went outside, and saw someone on the ground, that he realized someone must've been hurt.
Two suspects ran from the store and have not been identified or located.
There's a sign in front of the store that says the business is equipped with a surveillance system, but investigators haven't said if the cameras captured the attempted robbery and shooting on tape.
By morning Dallas police officers had left the scene, but department officials say the investigation in the case is ongoing.
Te, who came to the U.S. from Cambodia in the early 80's, said he has had the business for 10 years.
Some customers, who did not want to appear on camera or give their names, said Mr. Te is a very nice, older man who they were surprised to hear anyone would want to steal from.
No word on whether the storeowner will face charges in this case. Police have not released the identity of the robbery suspect that was shot dead.
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