JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A clerk at a Regency area clothing store scared away a group of armed robbers when she produced her own handgun during a shakedown, according to authorities.

Detectives with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office on Thursday afternoon launched an investigation of an armed robbery at the 904 Fashion store in the 10000 block of Atlantic Boulevard.

According to authorities, four or five men walked into the store and started grabbing clothes and then produced a gun and tried to take money from the store's clerk.

The store's owner and JSO said the store clerk produced her own handgun from her purse and fired some shots at the robbers.

"This woman has children, a husband, a family. She couldn't let this go on like that. Rather it be them than her," said 904 Fashions co-owner Wade Cooper.

He said the clerk started getting her gun ready before the robbers entered the store because she noticed them pulling hoods over their heads before entering the business.

Surveillance video from the store shows several hooded men stuffing clothes into bags.

At the counter, one of the robbers is seen on tape pointing a gun at the clerk. The worker handed over some money, but shortly after, she pulled her own gun from her purse.

She pointed the weapon at the man and pulled the trigger, but she didn't realize the safety was on and the robbers, not taking her seriously, continued looting.

When the clerk started firing shots, the thieves took off.

The men ran from store and then fled the scene in a vehicle. The thieves did not get away with much merchandise or money, authorities said.

Thursday's robbery was not 904 Fashion's first run-in with a group of robbers. In July, some smash-and-grab thieves robbed the store.

Surveillance video from the July incident shows a truck smashing into the storefront and then several people running in and stealing clothing.

It remains unclear whether the two robberies are related.

Police are searching for the men involved in Thursday's armed robbery and the getaway vehicle. The vehicle in which the men fled was described as a burgundy four-door Nissan or Toyota with a dent in the driver's side door.

Anyone with information about the theft is asked to call Crimestoppers at 866-845-TIPS.