Police Still Searching For 2nd Suspect In Towson Attempted Robbery
TOWSON, Md. (WJZ) -- The search intensifies for a man who tried to rob a Towson liquor store. Police say he's part of a duo. The other suspect is dead; shot and killed by the store clerk.
Rick Ritter with the latest on the search.
Police are looking at two different surveillance videos from the area, trying to get a better description of the suspect who's on the run. His partner in crime is now dead.
All of this unfolded in the middle of a busy college town.
More than 24 hours later, a piece of paper covers bullet holes where the heart of downtown Towson became a crime scene Monday night.
"We're not used to this kind of behavior. We're not used to this activity and crime," said Nora Holloway, owns business nearby.
Two men in their early 20s burst through Towson Wine and Spirits and announced a robbery with a handgun.
Emergency calls obtained by WJZ shed light on what quickly turned deadly.
Dispatcher: "We have a call. Looks like Towson Liquors. Subject came in, tried to rob the store and the complainant shot him."
Police say when one of the suspects showed a handgun, the store clerk pulled out his own gun and fired.
Dispatcher: "The other subject is still here at the location and it appears he was hit."
Claude Mayo, 25, was pronounced dead on the scene, while the other robber got away and is still on the run.
"I'm a little fearful because I have a business in this area," said Holloway.
The area is typically very busy, especially around the holidays, with the Towson Town Center just blocks away and both Towson University and Goucher College nearby.
At the Charles Village Pub across the street, Shannon Hariar was greeting a customer at the door.
"I thought I heard four gunshots and I kind of looked at her and she looked at me," said Hariar.
She heard the shots ring out.
"It was like, 'Boom, boom, boom, boom,'" said Hariar.
Lauren Kassakatis, the manager of Charles Village Pub, says it's one reason why they staff security every night.
"We try to stay together, we try not to leave anyone here alone," said Kassakatis.
...An incident that's a rarity for the college town and has many on edge.
Emergency calls state that the suspect who got away was wearing an either gray or black hoodie, blue jeans and a facemask. Police are still having trouble getting a good description.
Police say they're depending on the public to get a better description of the suspect. They're urging anyone who saw anything to call them immediately at 410-307-2020 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP.