Bystander shot after stepping in during convenience store robbery, police say

ROCK HILL, S.C. — A man accused of trying to rob a convenience store was arrested after a bystander tackled him, Rock Hill police said. That bystander is now recovering from his injuries, and he spoke to Channel 9′s Tina Terry about what compelled him to step in and help.

Police said on Friday, they were called to the Circle K on Cherry Road near Interstate 77 for an armed robbery. At the scene, officers found someone who has been shot in the hand and rear end. He told investigators he was outside the convenience store when he saw a suspicious person go inside and try to rob the store.

The victim, Dalton Wheeler, told police the suspect was at the register as a cashier gathered money to give him.

Police said Wheeler walked into the store and tackled the suspect, who pulled a gun from his waistband. The two fought over the handgun, police said, which fired twice, hitting Wheeler.

Officers found the suspect nearby after he left the store. They also found the gun that was wrestled from him.

Wheeler was taken to a local hospital where his injuries were determined to be non-life-threatening.

“I go there every morning for the past five months now,” he told Terry.

Wheeler said he grabs an energy drink from the Circle K daily, and was about to drive away Friday when he noticed something strange.

“I see the guy come around the corner in all black -- black hoodie and a black face mask,” Wheeler said.

He felt something wasn’t right, and that’s when he went back inside to make sure the clerk was OK.

“I just walked up to him like I’m going to get behind him in line and buy what I’m going to buy, and then I just clothesline him,” Wheeler said. “I get him on the ground and then I turn around and look at her and I said ‘did I do the right thing?’ And she’s like ‘yes,’ and immediately emotions just dropped.”

The suspect, Richard Stayberg, 18, was arrested and charged with armed robbery, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.

“I didn’t even break a bone in my hand, I was shot with a very high-caliber pistol,” Wheeler said. “My hand should be shattered and gone, but it has full function.”

Officers said Wheeler acted with courage, but they offered this advice for the public.

“Our message is always the same. If your life is in no immediate danger or risk, make sure you call us and have us respond and handle the situation,” said Michael Chavis with the Rock Hill Police Department.

Wheeler is raising money to help pay for his hospital bills. Click here to contribute.

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