HOUSTON – Two armed robbers are in the hospital after they were met by gunfire overnight at a northwest Harris County shop pizza store.
Harris County deputies said the men tried robbing the Domino's on Louetta Road near Steubner Airline Road around 11:45 p.m. Thursday.
The robbers didn't know that a delivery man inside the store was an armed off-duty Harris County deputy.
"The two subjects entered the store both armed with pistols and both wearing bandanas on their faces and demanding money. The off-duty deputy encountered both subjects, a gunfight ensured in front of the store," said HCSO spokesman Thomas Gilliland.
One robber was hit and fell to the ground inside the store, the other started running, deputies said.
The off-duty deputy chased the second suspect, according to investigators. When he was close enough, he shot the robber, who collapsed a few feet away.
Additional deputies arrived a few minutes later. The two suspects were rushed to Ben Taub General Hospital in critical condition.
The off-duty deputy who was inside the store at the time was not hurt, investigators said.
Officials said the deputy has been with the Harris County Sheriff's Office for more than 25 years.
Deputies have not yet released the names of the robbers in this case.
The Harris County Sheriff's Internal Affairs and the Office of Inspector General will investigate this incident. The Harris County District Attorney's Office will also conduct an independent investigation of the shooting.