A clerk at a Hollywood convenience store was punched, kicked and shot several times with an air gun after confronting three individuals who were attempting to steal beer Wednesday evening, police said.
The violent ordeal unfolded after two women came into the store at the Arco gas station on the corner of Melrose and Western avenues just after 5 p.m., Los Angeles Police Capt. David Kowalski said.
The incident was captured on security cameras.
The footage shows one of the women leave with a case of beer without paying, and the clerk goes out to confront her. After the pair exchanged words, the women returned with others, Kowalski said.
The employee tries to keep them from entering the store, but the group overpowers him.
The video shows one of the women ripping off the worker’s shirt as she attempts to pull him to the ground, while a man stands outside the door and appears to be mocking him.
Another man then emerges from behind with a weapon in his hand, takes aim at the clerk and shoots. Police believe it wasn’t a firearm but a BB gun.
At one point, a woman begins stomping on the clerk’s back as he’s on the ground. A struggle ensues, and he pulls her down with him. Meanwhile, the armed man continues to fire pellets, police said.
As the clerk remains on the floor, the woman grabs another case of beer and leaves.
LAPD Officer Tony Im said the victim, who is in his 30s, was conscious and breathing when first responders arrived on scene. Paramedics placed him on a gurney and rushed him to the hospital, but his injuries were not life-threatening.
Although he didn’t suffer gunshot wounds, he did sustain lacerations and abrasions during the struggle, Kowalski said.
The suspects, meanwhile, fled the scene.
Officials had earlier said two men and two women were involved, and that the men entered first, but later revised their suspect description. Although additional individuals are seen on the video, officers said they are looking for two women and one man, all African Americans in their 20s.
KTLA’S Nidia Becerra contributed to this story.
