Phenix City convenience store clerk shoots suspect 3 times during armed robbery

PHENIX CITY, AL (WTVM) - A Phenix City store clerk is feeling uneasy after he says he was forced to shoot a robbery suspect who first held him at gunpoint.

The incident happened Monday night at the Lucky Food Store on 10th Avenue near Pine Hill Baptist Church.

Phenix City Police confirm the suspect as 22 year old Nyjaun Walton. EMS transported Walton to Piedmont Columbus Regional as he was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the chest. Police also confirmed Walton had a pistol on him during the robbery.

"He was injured pretty badly. He got shot three times," said the store clerk, who does not want to be identified. "He put a pistol to my back and asked for the money. I gave him the money. He wanted money out of the next register which I told him I could not open."

The clerk said he was busy stocking the cooler when the robber came in just before 11 p.m.

"He made me get down on the floor on my knees and he put a pistol to my head," the clerk said. He turned around to grab some cigarettes and that's when I seen the chance to actually grab my pistol and I shot him."

The clerks said he feared for his life and he shot the suspect three times in the abdomen with a 45-caliber handgun.

"I pray that he makes it and that he's ok," the clerk said.

The convenience store is a popular place along 10th Avenue but the clerk said he did not recognize the robber.

After the terrifying ordeal, the clerk said he and his supervisor stayed with the suspect and even prayed over him as they waited for help to arrive.

"He told me, please don't let him die," mentioned the clerk. "I hate that it happened but at that point, I feared for my life. So, I didn't know nothing else to do."

Walton is listed in stable condition. Phenix City Police say as soon as he is discharged, he'll be in the custody of the Muscogee County Sheriff's Office and will be extradited here to the Russell County Jail for processing. We'll continue to keep you updated.

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