Police: Philadelphia store owner shot during robbery attempt

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A Philadelphia store owner was rushed to the hospital after gunfire erupted inside his business on Monday afternoon.

It happened around 3:15 p.m. along the 1600 block of South 23rd Street in the Point Breeze section of the city.

Police say the 48-year-old store owner was shot once in the left side during what appears to be a robbery attempt. He was rushed to an area hospital where he's currently listed in critical condition.

Family friends have identified him as Antonio Baez, and say this isn't the first time he's been targeted.

"He's not a person like that to get shot. He's very nice. Why that happened, I dont know?" said a family friend.

"The two assailants bypassed the front register, went right to the back. That's where the confrontation was," said police. "We believe there was a struggle. The store owner was shot and the assailant was shot during the struggle."

Police say a 27-year-old suspect was shot in the chest. He is listed in critical condition.

Police are still searching for a second suspect.

"About two weeks ago he got robbed,'' Carlos Castillo told Action News.

He says this isn't the first time his friend, Baez, has been targeted, but isn't sure if Monday's attackers are involved in last month's incident.

The motive for the robbery is still unclear.

Anyone with any information is asked to call police at 215-686-TIPS.