JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A customer was shot Tuesday evening during a robbery at the Family Dollar store in Springfield, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said.
The robbery was reported about 6 p.m. at the store on North Main Street, just south of Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway.
Police said a man, who was armed with a silver revolver, jumped the store's counter and took money from the cash register, but a customer pushed him as he jumped back over to leave.
The gun went off and the 72-year-old customer was shot in the chest, police said. He was taken to UF Health and was in serious but stable condition at last check.
Investigators said it's unclear whether the robber intentionally shot the customer.
"Based on what was stated by the witnesses, he came in with a gun in his hand. He didn't necessarily point it at anybody, but his purpose was to get behind the counter and get the cash drawer," said JSO Lt. Kelvin Anderson.
The robber -- who was described as a 25- to 30-year-old black man with a goatee and wearing a hat, a light blue shirt and khaki shorts -- took off with the cash box, police said.
"Once he exited the store, he went around the back, he went to the southwest corner then disappeared on 16th Street," Anderson said.
Police released surveillance images Wednesday showing the man, armed with the gun, carrying the cash register. Another image showed a white pick-up truck police believe the man was driving (see below).
Police said the man is considered armed and dangerous.
Christie Kennedy told News4Jax that she immediately rushed to check on her daughter, who works at the Family Dollar, when she learned of the shooting.
"She's six months pregnant. So I came up here to check on her but she called me and let me know that I wouldn't be able to get her," Kennedy said.
Several people were inside the store at the time, police said, but no other injuries were reported. Kennedy said she's relieved her daughter is safe.
"She's OK. Thank God," Kennedy said.
The Sheriff's Office continues to investigate.
Anyone with information is asked to call JSO at 904-630-0500. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.