Store owner fatally shoots armed robber in NW Harris Co.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A northwest Harris County store owner is in critical condition after investigators say he was involved in a shoot-out with an armed robber.

"He's not the type of person to carry a gun, but he has to carry a gun because he keeps getting robbed," explained a family friend.

It happened at Lakewood Food Mart on Cedar Point near Grant Road at around 10:30 p.m. Thursday.

Authorities say the 26-year-old male suspect entered the store and shot the owner during a holdup. The owner, who was wounded, grabbed his own gun and shot the robber.

Both the owner and robber were transported to the hospital, where the suspect died. The owner is recovering from his injury.

A family friend said the owner has two young children and a wife.

Deputies believe a woman was also involved in the robbery. They said she went inside to case the store before the robber stepped in.

She may have left the area in a tan sedan.

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