Clerk, gunman shot during Fort Lauderdale food store robbery

Police say clerk shot in cheek, suspect shot multiple times

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A Fort Lauderdale store clerk was shot in the face Tuesday morning during an attempted robbery, police said.

The incident was reported about 7 a.m. at the Comet Food Market in the 800 block of Southwest 27th Avenue.

Fort Lauderdale police Detective Tracy Figone said a masked gunman entered the store and tried to rob the clerk, but the clerk pulled out a gun and exchanged fire with the man.

"The clerk fired at the person that tried to rob us," a woman at the store said.

Figone said the suspect ran off after being shot multiple times.

Authorities said the suspect parked his car at a home a few blocks away, got out and collapsed.

"The car was parked in my driveway," the homeowner, who did not want to be identified, said. "I looked out the window and I saw the guy lying in the driveway and he was bleeding."

The woman said that she is grateful that the accused robber did not try to break into her home.

Figone said the clerk was shot in the cheek. 

The clerk and suspect were both taken to Broward Health Medical Center. Both are expected to survive.

The suspect was identified Wednesday as Curtis Sanders, 30, of Fort Lauderdale.

Sanders faces charges of robbery with a firearm, attempted murder and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.


About the Authors:

Peter Burke returned for a second stint of duty at Local 10 News in February 2014.