Police release surveillance footage of gas station gunman

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — A gas station clerk is in critical condition after an early-morning robbery turned to gunfire.

The shooting happened just before 3 a.m. Tuesday at the Texaco station on Flat Shoals Road in south DeKalb County.

Police say there were customers inside the store when the robbery took place.

An employee told Channel 2's Sophia Choi that the clerk handed over cash, and the robber shot him in the forehead anyway. She said she hid behind a chip display during the ordeal.

"He was on his knees, begging for his life. He was like, 'Just leave me. I gave you all I could.' (The gunman) started walking and he just turned around and shot him," Mehra said.

Another employee was inside the store and witnessed it. She said she survived by hiding behind the chips aisle.

"He had him at gunpoint and he was just like, 'give it up, give me the money. He handed over the cash and he still shot him," Amanda Springs said.

Police released video footage that shows the robber in a blue hoodie.

Springs told Choi the robber did not hide his face and left with less than 200 dollars.

Mehra told Choi the man was about to start a new chapter in his life, but he is now in critical condition.

"He's expecting a baby in three months. There was no reason to shoot him. He gave him what he wanted," Mehra said.

The man was taken to Atlanta Regional Medical Center in critical condition. As of Wednesday morning, he was recovering from surgery.

One person is in police custody for questioning, but it is not clear how they are connected to the shooting.

WSBTV