A small business owner found herself in a fight for her life, shooting an armed robber, police said, as he held her at gunpoint.
Police confirm the armed robbery happened at a store on Eastern Avenue around 1:15 p.m. Thursday, March 23.
The owner told FOX45 News a man, later identified by police as Jerome Owens, 43, walked into her store and first acted as a customer.
She said as the two were talking the man reached into his clothing, pulled out a gun and demanded she empty the register.
Surveillance pictures show the man behind the counter with cash in one hand.
The owner said the suspect then demanded she open a display case filled with merchandise.
In fear for her life, the owner said she pulled out her firearm.
Investigators said the owner and Owens were struggling over the gun when it went off and the bullet hit him in the leg.
Investigators said Owens ran off with the owner’s gun, but officers arrested him just a few blocks away, on Gough Street.
According to Baltimore Police, officers recovered the owner’s gun, as well as his weapon which was identified to be a BB gun.
Online court records show Owens is a convicted felon with a criminal history that spans more than 25 years with previous arrests for robbery, theft, burglary and drug distribution.
Records also show in 2005 Owens was identified as a suspect in at least seven armed robberies in Baltimore County and Baltimore City.
Owens was sentenced to 15 years in prison for armed robbery in the County, and 10 years in prison for armed robbery in the City.
FOX45 News questioned officials how much time Owens served for each sentence, if he had been paroled, or was currently on parole and/or probation when this incident happened. We're still waiting on a response.
Owens is charged with armed robbery and other gun offenses, police said.
Owens is being held without bond and has a scheduled court hearing April 18.