Smoke shop worker shot in Mission Bend when masked robbers burst into store

MISSION BEND, TX – A smoke shop worker is recovering after being shot in the abdomen during a robbery attempt Monday night in Fort Bend County.

Seven people -- all but one masked -- burst into the store on Highway 6 South near Bellaire Blvd. around 8 PM.

• ‘Created a lot of chaos’: Search for 2 suspects after shots fired inside Katy Mills Mall

One of them opened fire.

They were in and out in five seconds. However, that brief time was enough for the shooter to fire off about a dozen shots at employees behind the counter, hitting one worker.

• FBI Houston seeks men dubbed ‘Scrooge Sprayers’ after violent robbery of armored car courier

Police said another suspect tried stealing merchandise but dropped it on the way out of the store.

Investigators are reviewing video footage and examining the dropped items and bullet casings to gather evidence.

• Woman arrested for leaving small children alone in filthy apartment; 1-year-old tests positive for cocaine, marijuana

All seven suspects fled the scene on foot.