Winnipeg police say a man has been charged with attempted murder after an armed robbery Tuesday morning.
At 11:30 a.m. police say they were alerted to a man who had been shot and was seriously injured.
Officers found the 21-year-old victim at a convenience store in the 800 block of Logan Avenue. Police say he was taken to the hospital in critical condition and has since been upgraded to stable condition.
Police say while his injuries are no longer life-threatening he is still not in good shape. “I can confirm his injuries although they are not life-threatening at this time, are very very serious, and he has a long road to recovery,” said Const. Dani Mckinnon.
With the assistance of video surveillance, it was determined the suspect attended the store, selected a drink, and left without paying.
The victim was an employee of the store – he saw the theft, followed the suspect outside, and confronted him.
During the confrontation, police say the suspect pulled out a sawed-off shotgun and shot the victim before running away.
McKinnon says sawed-off shotguns are common in gun-related crimes in the city and warned the public not to engage with shoplifters but she said she does understand the frustration of just standing by and watching thefts happen.
“Human thoughts and emotions often take over. You want to help, you want to save, you want to retrieve, you want to protect,” she said.
Winnipgger Jacob Yochim told Global News he witnessed the attack while he was working nearby.
“He kinda dropped some things on the street and then some other guy ran up to him, and then we saw the one guy whip out a handgun and shoot the other guy right in the stomach,” he said.
“Then the one guy ran back and sat on the step holding his stomach. And then cops showed up about a minute or two later.”
Much later, at 6 p.m., police found the suspect at a home in the 800 block of Main Street where he was taken into custody.
A 22-year-old man has been arrested and is facing multiple charges related to armed robbery and attempt to commit murder. He was detained in custody.