Two Suspects Arrested, And Friends Send Greetings To Woman Shot During Botched Taunton Robbery

TAUNTON (CBS) - Well-wishers spent time Thursday signing get-well cards at the Taunton liquor store where the co-owner was shot during a failed robbery attempt.

"She's just so popular. You come in and she's so happy. She says hello 'beautiful ladies.' That's all I can say," one well-wisher said. "I hope she gets better soon."

Two teenagers were arrested early Thursday morning in the shooting of the co-owner of the Eagan's Package Store clerk during a botched robbery.

Two young men tried to rob the store on Cohannet Street at about 8:35 p.m. Wednesday.

The couple bought the store four years ago and are reported to have worked 14 to 16 hour says. That's why police say the woman refused to give in to the alleged robbers' demands.

She grabbed the shotgun carried by the 17-year-old and Taunton Police Lt. Paul Roderick said the shooter poked her with the gun.

"The shooter was poking her, if you will, with the weapon, and then it discharged," said Taunton Police Lt. Paul Roderick.

She was shot once, and the two ran away. The clerk called 911 herself.

"You could tell she was grasping for air," said Lt. Roderick.

Police said the two suspects were found in separate locations in Taunton overnight--and that surveillance cameras aided in their capture.

They said the 17-year-old, who they identified as the shooter, was arrested at his home, where police found pink shoes that were seen in the surveillance video.

Officers also recovered a shotgun at the juvenile's home. He has not been identified due to his age, and is due in juvenile court.

Police also said he identified his accomplice as 18-year-old Billy Morris of Taunton.

Both face charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, armed and maked robbery, and conspiracy.

The 17-year-old also faces assault to murder, four counts of assault and battery on a police officer, and firearms charges including possession of the sawed-off shotgun.

Morris was ordered held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing.

The arrests were first reported by WPRI-TV in Providence.

The 41-year-old clerk is at Rhode Island Hospital in stable, but serious condition. Her injuries are believed to be non-life-threatening.

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