A man suspected of an armed robbery at a Dollar General store in Houston was fatally shot by the store manager, later crashing his car into a METRO bus and succumbing to his injuries, according to local authorities.

The event unfolded when a Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputy, heading to work, was informed around 1:16 pm on Wednesday, December 20, of a robbery at the Dollar General store. Sheriff Ed Gonzalez stated that the suspect had stationed his car in front of the store and entered with an Airsoft pistol, resembling a real gun. He then forced the store manager to open the safe at gunpoint.

After being shot by the armed manager, the suspect fled, drove a short distance, and collided with a METRO bus at Ella and Airtex Boulevard. Sheriff Gonzalez indicated the suspect was likely bleeding heavily, as evidenced in his vehicle. The collision involved six individuals on the bus, including the driver, who was hospitalized for evaluation. The passengers did not seek hospital treatment.

The identity of the deceased suspect remains undisclosed, but Sheriff Gonzalez noted the vehicle’s potential involvement in a previous incident nearby. Ongoing investigations are exploring this link.

The area of the incident is known for high crime rates. Sheriff Gonzalez emphasized the presence of reputable businesses and residents, stating the incident doesn’t represent the community. He mentioned potential grand jury proceedings for the store manager, implying his actions might be deemed self-defense in an armed robbery scenario.