CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A convenience store owner is recovering in the hospital after exchanging gunfire with a robber early Monday in southeast Charlotte, according to police.
Officers were called around 3 a.m. to the 7-Eleven on the corner of Monroe Road and North Sharon Amity Road.
Employees said 22-year-old James Murray came into the store and tried to rob it, and jumped over the counter before running to the back of the store. That's when the owner pulled out a gun and shot him.
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Murray fired back, hitting the owner, according to employees.
(Murray)
When police got to the store Murray had already run away but left a trail of blood. A K-9 unit was able to use the trail to track him to the CVS parking lot across the street.
He was rushed to Atrium Health’s Carolinas Medical Center with serious injuries.
Once Murray is released from the hospital, police said he will be charged with attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury and possession of a firearm by a felon.
Channel 9 was told the store owner was recovering in the hospital.
People who live in the area said they are fed up with the violence.
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“Crime is everywhere, but we got to prevent it some kind of way,” said James Boyd.
Eyewitness News crews watched as officers roped off the entire gas station with crime scene tape as CSI technicians looked for evidence. A bullet hole could be seen in the shattered front door.
Police said they are not looking for any other people connected to the crime.
The shooting created a large mess inside the store, which was closed while employees cleaned up.
Check back with wsoctv.com for updates on this story.
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