Footage shows the armed suspect burst into the business and the owner immediately shoot a single blast from his firearm.
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Cameras outside captured the suspect frantically screaming, "He shot my arm off! He shot my arm off!"
Multiple suspects then quickly take off in a dark-colored SUV and almost leave a person behind, the footage shows.
Authorities say the incident happened at Norco Market & Liquor in the 800 block of Sixth Street around 2:47 a.m. Sunday. Four suspects armed with long guns were involved in the attempted robbery and were wearing facial coverings, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.
Armed robber flees in panic when Norco liquor store owner blasts shotgun: 'He shot my arm off!'
Four suspects were later found at a hospital, including one who was suffering from a gunshot wound consistent with a shotgun blast, authorities say. The three other suspects were found inside the suspect vehicle, which authorities say was reported stolen.
The suspects were identified as 22-year-old Inglewood resident Justin Johnson, 27-year-old Los Angeles resident Jamar Williams and 24-year-old Las Vegas resident Davon Broadus.
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The wounded suspect's name has not been released. The 23-year-old remains hospitalized in critical, but stable condition.
Several stolen firearms were allegedly found in the BMW SUV the suspects used.
Workers and customers are praising the business owner, Craig, for his quick action.
"What if he wouldn't have been as quick as it was. It could've been him," customer Julie Fensel told Eyewitness News.
Craig, 80, is recovering from a heart attack after the shocking incident.
"The sheriff's warned us that this had been going on in the area recently and to just be on your toes, you know, so he was on his toes. Thank God," employee Marnie Tapia said.
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Employees say the owner saw what was happening in the monitors: the suspects' SUV back in and the armed men step out.
"He just prepared himself. He's always prepared as far as weapons go," Tapia said about the owner.
"In this case, a lawfully armed member of our community prevented a violent crime and ensured their own safety while being confronted with multiple armed suspect," the sheriff's department said in a news release.