EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill., Nov. 19 (UPI) -- Police said a 26-year-old man was shot and killed by a store clerk in East St. Louis, Ill., early Thursday while allegedly attempting to rob the store.
Illinois State Police Lt. James Morrisey told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch the shooting victim, whose identity was not released, was one of four suspected robbers who broke into a secure convenience store.
Morrisey said the store is open 24 hours, but conducts its business after 11 p.m. via a small window.
Morrisey said the 21-year-old store clerk, whose identity was not released, reacted to the attempted robbery by producing a pistol he carries for protection.
"The robbers wrestled with the clerk over the gun, the gun discharged during the struggle and struck one of the bandits in the chest," Morrisey said.
The Post-Dispatch said the would-be thieves took their wounded friend with them as they fled the store, but the suspect died later at an area hospital from his injuries.
The two men who took the injured man to the hospital were arrested and police are searching for other suspects.
