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Clerk Shot After Confronting Thieves Who Stole Bottle Of Water

CAMBRIDGE (CBS) – A gas station clerk was shot during a robbery in Cambridge early Wednesday morning.

Police say the clerk confronted two people who stole a bottle of water at Richie's Shell on Cambridge Street just before 4 a.m.

"The suspect had purchased a bottle of soda and then started to argue with the clerk about a bottle of water and having to pay for water," said Cambridge Police spokesman Jeremy Warnick.

The man went into his car, grabbed a bag, pulled out a gun and fired at the clerk, grazing him on the foot. Police say the gunman got into a car driven by another man and sped off.

cambridge shooting
Richie's Shell on Cambridge Street. (WBZ-TV)

The clerk was taken to the hospital, treated and released. His name has not been made public, but police said he is 50 years old.

"It wasn't bad, he had a Band-Aid on top of his toe," a friend told WBZ.

The driver was later stopped by officers and taken in for questioning, but he is not facing any charges.  Cambridge Police said they found the gun used in the shooting in a bag on Inman Street, but they're still looking for the shooter, who they have identified.

"At least he didn't die, over something stupid," a customer told WBZ.  "Sometimes its just not even worth arguing with somebody over a bottle of water."

The incident has Cambridge residents on edge.

"It's not something that usually happens in Cambridge. So I was pretty stunned," said Cambridge resident Cullen Nutt.

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