Robbery victim flips script on suspect, pulls out his own gun

Now at five, a man being robbed took matters into his own hands. Police say the victim fired several shots at the man he says was responsible for the hold-up on North Front Street in Alney. Tonight there's a search for that suspect who got away unharmed. Friday night Rick is off, Gray Hall is joining us and the big story on Action News is a robbery that led to gunshots in Philadelphia. That suspect got away with just $23 and tonight remains on the run. Action News reporter Taronda Thomas live for us at police headquarters tonight with the details on what we're learning about this crime. Taronda. Well Gray and Shari, police are still in the early stages of the investigation but we're getting a clearer picture of what happened. A suspect robbing a victim who in fear for his life fought back. It's definitely a nice area. The most I see is people pull up and just like take nap breaks. But the peace on this block was disturbed late Thursday night by a robbery that ended in gunshots. Those shots though didn't come from the robber, they came from the victim. He did express how fearful he was at the time and you know this happened. It all unfolded at around 11 30 Thursday night in the 5700 block of North Front Street in Alney. The action cam on the scene as shell casings lay in the street. Police say the victim was walking when he noticed someone following him. Police say this is their suspect caught on a nearby surveillance camera. The victim says the robber pulled out a gun and forced him to sit on the steps in front of a home where the suspect took his wallet. But it didn't end there. The offender took the money and then slapped the complaint on the back and told him to run. That's when the victim fearing for his life pulled out his own weapon. He drew his legally owned firearm and fire at the offender. The victim who has a permit to carry fired several shots at the suspect. One of the bullets hit a nearby car. He fired multiple times. He emptied his magazine as he should have done the suspect getting only $23 as he ran away. Residents are relieved that the victim was not injured as he fought back. It's sad that he had to come to that to take his gun out to defend himself. Police are now on the hunt for the suspect who they do not think was hit by any of the gunshots. Detectives are still canvassing the area for video and information as residents see the incident as a reminder. Just gotta be careful. I appear now. We know that picture of the suspect was pretty blurry, but police are hoping someone at least recognizes that orange sweatshirt he was wearing. Investigators say he's about 5 ft 7. He was wearing a black mask, blue jeans and gray sneakers. If you recognize him or know anything, contact Philadelphia Police at Philadelphia Police Headquarters. Taranda Thomas, Channel Six Action News. Okay, Taranda. Thank you.