Retired Police Officer Shoots Would-Be Robber

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A retired police officer has shot a man who, according to police, tried to rob a restaurant. 

The attempted robbery happened at Judy's Island Grill and Bake Shop in the 5200-block of Park Heights Avenue just before 10 p.m. Wednesday. The restaurant is across the street from Pimlico.

Mike Schuh reports police say the retired officer had just ordered his dinner when he stepped in to stop the robbery.

Police say the officer decided to act when the man pulled out a weapon.

"It appears as if a retired Baltimore City police officer was at a carryout, ordering dinner, when a man with a gun came in," said Det. Kevin Brown, Baltimore City Police.  "The officer engaged the suspect, shooting at least once.  He was taken to an area hospital in serious condition."

The suspect is described as being in his late teens or early 20s.  He was taken to an area hospital, where he was initially in "very critical" condition.  It's not immediately clear how many shots were fired and police aren't saying what kind of weapon the suspect had.

City police are staying tight-lipped for now about the retired officer's career and haven't identified him.

"The officer is doing well and is being interviewed by homicide detectives, which is just a course of matter," said Brown.

Retired officers are allowed to legally carry weapons.  

It's not clear if there were other customers inside the restaurant at the time, but no one else was injured.

Judy's Island Grill is a popular Jamaican carryout. It's not clear whether it has been targeted in any previous robberies.