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Protest planned at gas station where clerk fired shots in attempt to stop potato chip thief

Posted at 12:05 PM, Jul 25, 2019
and last updated 2019-07-25 19:08:47-04

DETROIT (WXYZ) — A gas station on Detroit's west side has closed its doors in anticipation of a planned protest over a shooting of a man stealing potato chips.

A clerk at the Shell gas station on the 17000 block of W. Warren in Detroit was allegedly trying to shoot a man who was stealing potato chips Tuesday night. Police say the 27-year-old clerk came from behind the counter and shot out the front glass door. The 22-year-old victim was holding the door open for the alleged thief.

Witnesses at the gas station say there had been some back and forth between the potato chip thief and the clerk.

"Certainly I don't think there is anyone who would believe it's OK to engage in this kind of response over someone stealing a bag of chips -- even if he's there every day this week stealing chips," Craig said.

The victim was shot in the stomach and is in temporary serious condition.

Gas station owner Steven Hakim released the following statement about the shooter:

I am thankful first that the young man is improving, and that the shooter—who was in possession of a weapon against company policy and who was immediately fired—is in jail. We have been in this same location in the community for more than 30 years, and remain committed to Detroit and its residents. We are ready to work together to restore peace.

Both the clerk and the chip thief were arrested.