STORE CLERK EXPLAINS WHY HE SHOT ARMED ROBBER

The store clerk who shot and killed an armed robbery suspect in Rock Island explains why he pulled the trigger.

The incident occurred at Blackhawks Tobacco & Vape. According to Rock Island Police, the three robbery suspects entered the store. All three suspects were wearing a mask, and one of them had a gun. As they threatened employees and demanded merchandise, the clerk decided he had to open fire.

”I was just thinking about trying to stay calm, stay still because they had the gun right in our faces,” said the store clerk, who asked to remain anonymous.

The store clerk said Tuesday night was the first time he has encountered armed robbery inside the store.

“This man looked me in the eyes and said, ‘You have kids at home? You have a family at home? I do. I wanna go home. Do you wanna go home tonight?’ As they were exiting the store, I saw him point the firearm towards a customer that was pulling up, and that’s when I emptied the magazine into him,” the store clerk said.