California Self-Defense: Police: Fairfield store clerk stops armed bandit :: 05/15/2017

FAIRFIELD — An attempted armed robbery was stopped Sunday by the speedy response of a store clerk who shot the would-be bandit in the chest, Fairfield police said.

Police responded to a report of a shooting at approximately 12:40 p.m. at a smoke shop business on the 2100 block of North Texas Street. When they arrived, they found a person wearing a mask who had been shot in the chest by the store clerk, according to Sgt. Matt Bloesch of the Fairfield Police Department.

The suspect entered the store wearing a mask and allegedly pulled a gun on the clerk, Bloesch said. The clerk pulled his own weapon and shot the suspect. Bloesch said the clerk feared for his life.

Bloesch said the suspect was transported to an area hospital and was listed in critical condition. His name, age and city of residence were not released.

Police later reported in a press release that the suspect was armed with a realistic-looking BB gun. The clerk was in legal possession of his gun and acted in self-defense, police said, and does not face criminal charges in connection with the shooting.

The investigation was ongoing, police said.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Fairfield Police Department’s Investigations Bureau at 428-7600, the 24-hour tip line at 428-7345 or Solano CrimeStoppers at 644-7867. Tips may also be sent by text message to 888777; type TipFairfieldPD and then your message.

Reach Susan Hiland at 427-6981 or shiland@dailyrepublic.net.

http://www.dailyrepublic.com/solano-news/fairfield/police-fairfield-store-clerk-stops-armed-bandit/