Retired deputy shot when man allegedly tries to rob E. Houston restaurant

HOUSTON – The glass is boarded up at an east Houston Church's Chicken after a gun fight between an alleged robber and a retired Harris County Sheriff's Office deputy Wednesday night.

Bullets flew during a violent robbery inside the fast food restaurant on the East Freeway and Normandy.

"Actually, I was watching Channel 2 last night, and I heard about it, but I didn't realize this is the one that it happened at. I am just here getting something to eat," said customer Sal Castanon.

Officers said around 8 p.m., a man barged into the restaurant and held the employees at gunpoint.

After getting money from the register, the suspect demanded the customers' wallets. But the robber didn't realize one of those customers was Vincent Gonzalez, 78, a former sheriff's deputy.

Police say Gonzalez grabbed his gun, but the suspect saw it and shot him. Gonzalez managed to fire back, hitting the suspect as he ran off.

"It appears the suspect was struck by gunfire also, as there was a blood trail leaving from the store," said Lt. Larry Crowson, of the Houston Police Department.

"There are just too many robberies, too many people who want to take the easy way out," said Castanon.

Castanon said robberies like this one is exactly why he carries a gun.

"I would have done the same thing. I wouldn't reach for my wallet, I would reach for my gun," he said.

Gonzalez was taken to the hospital with a gunshot wound and is expected to be OK.

The suspect in this case has been identified as Charles H. Franklin, 34. Franklin showed up at an area hospital with a gunshot wound. Officers were notified, and he was released from the hospital and arrested.

Frnaklin faces two charges of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon.