Cobb store owner shoots would-be thief

A would-be robber apparently got more than he bargained for when he tried to rob a Cobb County package store.

When a man wearing a hoodie and carrying a gun tried to rob the Windy Hill Package store, the owner fired a handgun at him, police spokesman Dana Pierce said.

The owner of the store at 2425 Windy Hill Road in Marietta believes he shot the suspect as he ran from the store during the Nov. 15 robbery attempt. A store security camera captured the incident as it unfolded at about 7:30 p.m. at the store near Cobb Parkway.

The suspect is seen on the security camera pointing a gun at the clerk.

The owner, who asked that his name not be used because the suspect is still on the loose, said the robber first asked for a bottle of Bombay Sapphire Gin.

When he came back to the counter, he pointed his gun at the clerk and gestured toward the cash register.

As the store owner pushed a bag with the bottle in it toward the robber, the robber put his gun in the waistband of his pants. The owner quickly reached under the counter and brought out his own gun —- a .45 caliber —- which he fired at the robber.

The robber appeared to be hit in his right side and staggered as he turned to leave. Pierce said no bullet holes were found in the walls of the store.

Pierce said the suspect left without any money —- or his gin.

When the robbery began to unfold, the owner said, “He was yelling something like he was going to kill me. I didn’t think nothing of him when he came into the store, because we get guys that dress like that in here all the time. It all happened so fast that I didn’t have time to be afraid.”

Police checked local hospitals for patients with gunshot wounds but haven’t turned any up.

No charges are expected to be filed against the store owner. The owner said this was the first time someone has attempted to rob him since he bought the store in December 2007.