Police say his quick actions may have saved lives.
Late Thursday night, crime scene numbers marked the spots where all the bullet casings landed at the corner of 9th and Clearfield streets.
Witnesses say it was just before 7:30 p.m. when a barrage of gunfire broke out.
Witness Tanya Wright says, outside, an 8 or 9-year-old little boy was trying to escape the gunfire.
"I guess the little boy was going to the store and...he was hiding on the truck cause he was running from the gunshots," Wright said.
Authorities say the assailants, it's unknown how many, were firing at a 17-year-old outside the Ledesma Grocery store where an armored car guard just happened to be servicing an ATM.
The 17-year-old ran in the store to escape, but the gunmen kept firing through the glass door.
One of the bullets struck the armed guard in the head. The 17-year-old was also shot.
Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small says after being struck in the head, the guard pulled his weapon and fired out into the streets towards the suspects who shot him.
"It is unknown if the armored car guard struck anyone," Small said.
Both the 17-year-old who was shot four times and the guard were rushed to Temple University Hospital where both are listed in critical condition.
The guard is said to be conscious and alert since the bullet did not go through his skull.
Police are amazed with his valiant actions to prevent any more innocent persons being shot.
"Even being shot in the head, the armored car guard sprung into action, pulled his weapon, and began firing shots towards the suspects," Small said.
The assailants have not been located.
Police say the store does have surveillance cameras and they are hoping surveillance video may help identify the culprits leading to their capture.
