Security guard opens fire on robbery suspects at Gardena 7-Eleven
GARDENA, Calif. (FOX 11 / CNS) - Authorities on Thursday released details about a robbery, whose surveillance video of has recently been making its rounds on social media, at a Gardena 7-Eleven where the security guard shot and wounded two 16-year-old suspects armed with a fake handgun.
Deputies responded to the Dec. 30 robbery in the 15200 block of South Avalon Boulevard after a silent alarm was activated around 11:35 p.m., according to Det. Gregory Stickley of the sheriff's Compton Station.
The store's armed security guard was sitting in his vehicle when he saw two males wearing hooded sweatshirts, tied in a manner that was covering their faces, enter the store.
As the security guard approached the entrance to the store, he saw both suspects had jumped over the front counter and began to rummage through the cashier's pockets, Stickley said.
When the security guard walked in, he saw one of the males pointing what appeared to be a black semi-automatic handgun at the cashier.
"Fearing for the cashier's life, the security guard took action by shooting the male that was pointing the gun at the cashier,'' Stickley said.
"Believing the other male also had a weapon, he also fired at him, as a result striking both.''
The security guard detained both males until deputies arrived. Both 16- year-old suspects were taken to a hospital and treated for their non-life threatening injuries, Stickley said.
During the investigation, a replica semi-automatic handgun was recovered at the scene, according to Stickley.
The suspects were arrested and both booked on suspicion of robbery. They are being held without bail, Stickley said.
Video of the incident was posted Jan. 11 on YouTube, and has since received more than 1.5 million views.
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