Woman shot by armed assailants during robbery at Washington Food Mart
Victim pulled out concealed weapon in self defense
Mike Jones/Observer-Reporter
A woman playing a gambling machine at the Washington Food Mart on the city’s West End suffered multiple gunshot wounds Sunday night after she pulled out a concealed handgun to defend herself when three teenage assailants tried to rob the convenience store.
Three males ranging in ages from their mid- to late- teens – all of whom were wielding weapons – entered the store at 701 W. Chestnut St. shortly before 10:30 p.m. to rob the establishment at gunpoint, Washington police said.
The woman, whose identity was not released, was playing a “games of skill” gambling machine when she was shot multiple times as she drew her weapon in self defense, police said.
“During the incident, the victim attempted to defend herself by drawing a legally concealed firearm and was subsequently shot,” city police wrote in a statement.
The three teens then ran from the store, although it was not clear whether they left with money or any items. Police officers arrived moments later and rendered medical aid to the woman until paramedics arrived, and she was flown by medical helicopter to a Pittsburgh area hospital for treatment. Police wrote in the statement Monday morning that the woman was stable at the hospital, although her condition and the severity of her injuries were not released.
Police said they are working to identify the three assailants, but investigators did not release additional details of their description or indicate whether there was surveillance video of the robbery and shooting.
“Investigators are actively pursuing all leads and working to identify those responsible,” police wrote in a statement. “The investigation remains ongoing. Additional updates will be released when appropriate and when doing so will not compromise the integrity of the case.”
A phone call to Washington police Chief Steve Devenney was not immediately returned Monday morning.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Washington Police Department through its anonymous tip line at 724-223-4108, or by email at tips@washingtonpa.us.