Store owner shoots at armed robbers in self-defense, injuring one

NORCO » Four men allegedly tried to rob a Norco store but were confronted by a shotgun-wielding store owner, who opened fire on the armed suspects, wounding one, authorities said Monday.

Video and audio of the incident broadcast by KCBS Channel 2 showed the suspect who was shot exclaimed “He shot my arm off, he shot my arm off!”

Davon Anthony Broadus, 24, of Inglewood, Justin Kyle Johnson, 22, of Inglewood, and Jamar Elijah Williams, 26, of Las Vegas, were arrested and booked into the Robert Presley Jail in Riverside on Sunday on suspicion of robbery and conspiracy.

A fourth man, whose identity was not disclosed, was wounded and remains hospitalized, but is expected to recover and will be booked into jail on similar charges when he’s medically cleared to leave the hospital, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

Capt. Mike Koehler said that shortly before 3 a.m. Sunday, the four alleged would-be robbers pulled into the parking lot of the store located in the 800 block of Sixth Street and exited a BMW SUV holding long rifles.

“These suspects approached the business entrance … wearing facial coverings and hoods,” Koehler said. “Immediately upon entering the business, with the rifles pointed at the ready, an employee inside the business fired a single shot from a shotgun, causing the suspects to flee.”

The captain alleged that the foursome went to a regional trauma center, and one of the men sought medical attention for a wound inflicted by the shotgun blast.

Sheriff’s deputies were summoned to investigate, and they discovered Broadus, Johnson and Williams in the SUV, parked outside the hospital, according to Koehler.

He said that the three men, who were not injured, were taken into custody without incident after it was confirmed the BMW had been reported stolen.

“The vehicle was found to contain numerous stolen firearms,” Koehler said.

Further investigation, relying on security surveillance camera video at the store, indicated that the store owner, whose identity was not released by officials, had opened fire in self defense.

“A lawfully armed member of our community prevented a violent crime and ensured their own safety while being confronted with multiple armed suspects,” the captain said.

The employee was not hurt. Background information on the suspects was not available.

Anyone with information was asked to contact the sheriff’s Jurupa Valley station at 951-9552600.