Suspect shot during attempted robbery at fireworks stand

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - A suspect is in critical condition after he was shot during an attempted robbery of a fireworks stand in north Harris County.

Sheriff's deputies say robbers view fireworks stand as easy money.

"Because they're easy targets they're out here alone by themselves," said Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Eddie Hazel. "But it doesn't always go their way, and this is one of those instances where it didn't go the robbers way.

In this case, that's an understatement.

Sheriffs deputies say a 19-year-old man on foot approached the fireworks stand at 14400 North Freeway shortly before 4:00p.m. Thursday.

Deputies say no customers were there, only two employees.

"The workers were back behind the stand at the time it was just them there," Hazel said.

"He produced a handgun described as a revolver and demanded money."

Deputies don't know if it was nerves or inexperience, but whatever the reason, the robber set his gun down.

That's when the employee grabbed the gun and fired one shot, striking the teen in the face.

The would-be robber was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

Deputies say the employee was shaken.

"He's very distraught he's very upset," Hazel said.