The incident happened around 6:20 p.m. Wednesday on the 900 block of West Somerset Street.
Police say a man believed to be in his 30s broke through a security door and attempted to remove the cash drawer from inside Somer Hut Variety store.
That's when, authorities say, the 69-year-old store owner fired a gun at the suspect, striking him at least five times.
Medics responded and rushed the man to Temple University Hospital. He was pronounced dead a short time later.
Police cordoned off the store and are conducting interviews.
