Police: Circle K customer shoots suspect trying to flee after robbery

A customer shot a suspect who tried to flee the scene of an early Monday robbery at the Circle K on Warm Springs Road, Columbus Police Lt. Warren Dunlap confirmed.

Gary Clifford Adams, one of the two alleged robbers, was taken into police custody and transported to Midtown Medical Center. He was listed in satisfactory condition Tuesday afternoon, confirmed Columbus Regional spokeswoman Jessica Word.

Adams, who was issued warrants for his arrest, will be placed in the Muscogee County Jail once he has been treated, Dunlap said. Officials are still searching for the other suspect, who hasn’t been identified.

A Columbus police officer was driving along Warm Springs when a man flagged him down around 2:42 a.m. Monday. He directed him to the gas station, and told him there was a wounded armed robber behind the building.

The store clerk told the responding officer two black men entered the 5155 Warm Springs Road business with their faces covered. They stole cigarettes and cash before fleeing the store. They were leaving when a customer, who was armed, drove onto the scene.

“When they came out of the store, the customer saw that they had their faces covered and figured he had pulled up on a robbery,” Dunlap said. “He happened to be armed with a gun. He withdrew his weapon and ordered them to stop.”

Police said the suspect then ran to the back of the business, and one of the suspects pointed toward the customer as if he had a weapon. The customer then fired his weapon, striking Adams in the right thigh.

Dunlap said Adams ran a short distance but fell to the ground. The other suspect fled from the scene on foot, heading toward the Family Dollar nearby.

Police said his face was concealed and he wore a red shirt. No further description was available.

The customer has not been charged in connection with the incident, Dunlap said.

This story was originally published July 26, 2016 at 1:33 PM with the headline "Police: Circle K customer shoots suspect trying to flee after robbery."