Police: Clerk kills would-be robber

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (WSVN) -- A would-be robber is dead after being shot by a store clerk at a South Florida gas station.

The shooting sometime around midnight, Tuesday, at the Exxon Mart near South State Road Seven and 52nd Street. Twelve hours later, the investigation still remains active as detectives work to piece together what led to the fatal shooting.

Investigators said two armed robbers barged into the store firing at the store clerk, forcing the clerk to return fire with his own gun. "One tried to rob the gas station, and one was shot by the clerk," said an unidentified employee.

"The clerk was armed, at which point multiple shots were exchanged between the clerk and the suspect; the suspect was struck," said Hollywood Police Sergeant Pablo Venegas.

Police said a homeless man, identified as Hasib Kric, alerted the store clerk prior to the robbery. "He is alone," said Kric. "He's maybe not ready. The door was open at the time."

Kric usually stays inside a U-Haul truck parked behind the Exxon. He said that he noticed something strange going on behind the convenience store at around 11:30 p.m.

He said he watched as the two men put on hooded sweatshirts and masks moments before they rushed into the store. He quickly rushed inside to alert the clerk, a friend Kric calls Leo. "I tell Leo just lock his door and call police, behind the building is two guys with masks."

Only seconds later, two men rushed in with guns. "Right behind them, before the clerk had called 911, the suspects entered," said Venegas. "They brandished a firearm ... He didn't even have time to call 911 coz that's how quickly it happened."

The wounded would-be robber succumbed to his injuries and died on scene.

Police said the second subject, 19-year-old Joshua Stuart, was nabbed a few blocks away in a white getaway car.

The store clerk was too distraught to speak on camera but said he is convinced Kric saved his life. Still, the clerk said his prayers are with the family of the deceased.

Police credit Kric, who works odd jobs around the gas station to make ends meet, for saving the clerk's life. "I don't feel like a hero, I just feel happy because I'm still alive," Kric said.

Other employees were shaken by events that transpired at their job. One man said, "It's kinda scary."

"I was scared," said another when she heard the news.

Ram Arnal, the store's owner was relieved that none of his employees were hurt. "When I think about what happened," he said. "You see, you got to treat people right, too. I treat all my employees great."

The store clerk will not face any charges. Stuart faces attempted armed robbery and felony homicide charges, as his accomplice died in the act.

Surveillance video captured all that transpired inside the Exxon Mart. 7News is working on obtaining that footage.

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