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By Don Sweeney
The Charlotte Observer
NORCO, Calif. — A masked man carrying a semi-automatic rifle bursts into a Norco market, ordering the 80-year-old owner to raise his hands, a California security video shows.
Instead, the owner responds with a shotgun blast, sending the accused robber fleeing from the business about 2:45 a.m. Sunday, July 31, the video obtained by KTLA shows.
“He shot my arm off! He shot my arm off!” the man screams, the video shows. He rushes outside to the parking lot and jumps into a dark-colored SUV, which speeds away.
Riverside County sheriff’s deputies later arrested four men accused of trying to rob the store, including a 23-year-old man hospitalized in critical but stable condition with shotgun wounds, officials said in a news release.
Hospital officials notified the sheriff’s department when the man came in seeking treatment, the release said. His name has not been released as of Aug. 2. Deputies found his three alleged companions in a vehicle parked outside.
Justin Johnson, 22, of Inglewood, California; Jamar Williams, 27, of Los Angeles; and Davon Broadus, 24, of Las Vegas, were arrested on charges of robbery and conspiracy, the release said. Deputies found stolen firearms in their BMW SUV.
“In this case, a lawfully armed member of our community prevented a violent crime and ensured their own safety, while being confronted with multiple armed suspects,” sheriff’s officials said.
An investigation continues and sheriff’s officials ask anyone with information to call 951-955-2600.
The 80-year-old owner suffered a heart attack after the attempted robbery, KTTV reported. He’s being treated in a hospital.
“What if he wouldn’t have been as quick as (he) was?” customer Julie Fensel told KABC. “It could’ve been him.”
Norco is a city of 27,000 people between Los Angeles and Riverside in Southern California.
©2022 The Charlotte Observer. Visit charlotteobserver.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC
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