Customer shoots, kills armed robber at Gaston County food store

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — A customer at a food store shot and killed an armed robber Tuesday in Gaston County, police said.

Police were called to the armed robbery at Will’s Food Store on Hickory Grove Road near Mount Holly after the shooting.

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Victor Almodovar Jr., 26, held up the store with a handgun and demanded money from an employee, police said.

That was when the customer, who had a concealed carry permit, followed Almodovar out of the store and shot him in the parking lot. Customers said Almodovar pointed his gun at the customer in the parking lot before the shooting.

Almodovar was then taken to Caromont Regional Hospital, where he died, according to police.

Channel 9 spoke with an employee who was inside the foot store when the incident occurred.

“It terrifies me that it is so close to home nowadays. I mean, it’s like you can’t even go outside anymore without carrying a gun or something to defend yourself. I mean, it’s really sad,” the employee said.

Police said no one else in the store was hurt, and no arrests have been made.

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“I hate our own people in America are having to fight our own selves in America and it should never have happened,” said customer Monty Sailor.

Almodovar’s family told Channel 9 that he was a Navy veteran and they were waiting for police to finish their investigation.

Police said the investigation into the incident is active and ongoing. They will also be meeting with the district attorney once it’s completed.

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