Clerk shoots robber after handing over cash

Columbus police are searching for a man they say was shot by a Merion Village market clerk as he robbed the store.

Just after 8:20 p.m. Thursday, a man robbed the Buckeye Market at 1380 S. 4th St. at gunpoint, according to police. During the robbery, the store clerk, Abdal Salam Alutol, retrieved a handgun from under the counter and shot the man, who then fled.

Authorities have not identified or located a suspect. The robber was described as a black male in his mid-to late-twenties, between 6-foot and 6-foot-3 inches, with a heavy build. He is believed to be suffering from a gunshot wound, police said.

The suspect also was wearing a black mask, black jacket and faded blue jeans, and was armed with a silver handgun, police said.

The man got away with an “undetermined amount of money,” said detective Kevin Reed.

Alutol, 27, told a 911 dispatcher he believes he shot the suspect in the shoulder.

The man demanded that Alutol “empty the register, empty the register,” he told the dispatcher. Alutol opened the register and obliged, but when the suspect turned around, Alutol grabbed his gun and shot him, he said.

Alutol, who was not injured, told the dispatcher he had a permit to carry a concealed weapon.

Authorities are waiting to see whether any gunshot victims show up at an area hospital, Reed said.

The fact that Alutol was able to shoot the robber is somewhat rare, Reed said. Even if clerks are armed or have a weapon nearby, they rarely have time to defend themselves when they are being robbed at gunpoint, he said.

“It’s kind of unusual,” he said.

Anyone with information about the robbery or the suspect is asked to contact the Columbus Police Robbery Unit at 614645-4665 or remain anonymous by calling Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461TIPS (8477).