HOUSTON – A liquor store owner who was shot during a robbery shared his story Monday, and he hopes the man who almost took his life will soon be off the streets.
Sam Rihani owns Green's Discount Liquor in the 17500 block of Imperial Valley.
Rihani and his brother were at the register about 3 p.m. Saturday afternoon when a man walked in and acted like a normal customer.
The man stood in line with 12 other customers, but when it was his turn at the register, he jumped over the counter and started shooting.
"He didn't stop shooting," Rihani said. "Kept reaching for the money and shooting."
Rihani and his brother were both wounded.
"He shot six shots," Rihani said. "Got me twice and got my brother twice. He was careful enough to reach his left arm … to put hand on the money and the other hand shooting."
Rihani suffered wounds to his neck and arm, but he was back at work on Monday. He has owned the store since 1986.
"I want to be strong," he said. "This is my living. I have to keep my two kids in college."
Rihani said he hopes police find the robber soon.
"Hopefully we will find him because I, personally, think he's extremely dangerous," Rihani said.
The store has surveillance cameras and police are reviewing the footage to try to identify a suspect.
Rihani's brother was wounded in the legs. He's been released from the hospital, but he will be on bed rest for about two months.
Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.