Laundromat Owner Shoots Suspect, Bystander In Sunday Armed Robbery: Police

An attempted robbery ended with two people being shot Sunday evening in the Fairhill section of the city, according to Philadelphia Police.

Police said at about 4:15 p.m. a 41-year-old man entered the Laundry Center at 2907 N. 5th St. and pulled a knife on a 33-year-old man in the store, demanding money.

The suspect took about $2,000 and fled the store, going south on North 5th Street, but the store owner grabbed a gun he owned and chased the suspect police said.

Right after the suspect threw the stolen money in the air, the owner fired at the suspect, hitting him twice in the chest and striking a 52-year-old bystander in the hand as well, police said.

The suspect is listed in critical condition while the bystander is in stable condition.

NBC10 reports the money thrown by the suspect was then rounded up by onlookers and police are urging those people to return the money in the face of consequences.

The owner of the laundromat was taken into custody for questioning and will not be facing charges, NBC10 reports.

The outlet said the owner has a license to carry, cooperated with investigators, and feared for his life when the suspect robbed the store.

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