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Armed Men At Large After Shooting Worker In Robbery

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The search is on for two suspects Baltimore City Police say were involved in an early morning attempted robbery at a warehouse that ended with one man shot.

A worker at a restaurant supply business in Baltimore is recovering after he was shot in the upper body during a robbery attempt Wednesday morning. He is expected to survive.

It happened just before 5am at Restaurant Depot, which is near the intersection of Patapsco Avenue and Annapolis Road in South Baltimore.

An employee said she got to work as the incident began. She said she didn't know which one of her co-workers was shot, but has learned they are out of surgery tonight.

"Lots of police, lots of ambulances, chopper was in the air, across by Patapsco Flea Market that parking lot was filled, everything was filled to the point maybe some bombing went on," Parker said.

A SWAT team initially responded because police believed the gunmen were still inside the store. Police dispatch recordings said they were holed up in the "cash room" and called it an "active shooter" situation.

But the suspects had already fled. Police provided no further description.

"People don't care anymore about what they do," said a frustrated Jeanne Kay who lives in the area. "It's going on all the time. It's everywhere. Police have a lot on their hands."

Detective Jeremy Silbert said police were looking at other robberies in the area to see if any are connected. They also canvassed neighboring stores and interviewed witnesses. Detective Silbert said the injured employee is expected to survive.

Many people in the restaurant business frequent the supply store several times a week. Several expressed their sadness to WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren that a worker became a victim of violence.

"They're very, very nice people," said Lemmy, a regular customer who travels from Abingdon to shop there. "I'm shocked this would happen."

The store re-opened seven hours after the shooting. Police have not said what the suspects took from the property.

Store managers declined to comment.

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