Employee shot twice during robbery at Kannapolis cab company

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — Police are investigating a shooting at a cab company in Kannapolis Friday morning that left a man hospitalized.

Officials in Cabarrus County told Channel 9 the shooting happened around 6:30 a.m. at Carolina Taxi on South Main Street.

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Police said two masked men dressed in black walked into the business and tried to rob Robert Story, an employee. Story was shot twice and rushed to the hospital where he was listed in stable condition.

Employees on the scene told Channel 9 reporter Mark Barber that their colleague, a family man with two children, was shot in the arm and stomach.

They said Story tried to defend himself and shot one of the suspects first, before they returned fire, though police have not confirmed that.

“They just want to make a quick dollar. That’s all it is," said driver Vincent Davis. "They could’ve come in here, like, 'give me an application.' Instead, they want to rob you.”

The robbers took $80 from the dispatcher.

There are several security cameras inside the business and the manager said he hopes they were able to capture images of the faces of the suspects.

Employees told Channel 9 that they have had to cope with something like this before. A few years ago one of their cabbies drove someone all the way to Carolina Place Mall in Pineville and was shot by the rider. They said that fear is something they always have to deal with.

Workers said Friday was the third robbery they've had to deal with in three years.

Doug Gibson, an employee who himself has been robbed, said the shooting didn't have to happen.

"He would've gave it to them if they would've asked," Gibson told Channel 9. "He was that kind of person."

“I keep my gun everywhere I go," Davis said. "There’s no if, ands, or buts about it because I gotta be safe. I’ve got kids out here. It’s Christmas time, gotta see my babies.”

Since one of the robbers may be wounded, police have been checking local hospitals to see if they show up.

The Kannapolis Police Department is urging anyone with information about the crime to call 704-920-4000 or Crime Stoppers at 704-932-7463. A reward is available for anyone providing information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the suspects.

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