Clerk shot during gas station robbery

HOUSTON – A gas station clerk was robbed then shot multiple times Sunday morning in northeast Houston, police said.

It happened around 5:15 a.m. at the Valero gas station on Hirsch Road and East Crosstimbers Street.

"(The robber) was hiding in the restroom and when (the clerk) came out to remove the garbage, at that time, (the robber) ran over to him and showed the gun," said Treslor Fernendes, who has worked with the wounded clerk at this location for the past three years.

Fernendes said it can get pretty dicey around the area. He was not there Saturday night into Sunday morning, but heard about what happened to his friend from co-workers.

The robber demanded cash, police said.

"The demand was made, the demand was met and he still fired and shot the clerk,"Detective Ken Nealy said.

The robber fired several more rounds, shattering the glass of the front door to escape.

The clerk was rushed to Ben Taub Hospital and was taken straight into surgery, police said. His condition is unknown.

Security cameras inside and outside the store gave investigators a good idea of who they are looking for.

He is described as an African-American in his mid-20s, 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall and weighing 180-215 pounds, police said. He was last seen wearing blue jeans and a tan long-sleeve hooded-shirt.

What surveillance video did not capture is if the man ran away or jumped into a vehicle. He was able to get away with a small amount of money, police said.

There were several witnesses inside the store at the time. None of them were injured.

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