Family stopping for bathroom shot at during armed robbery

DORCHESTER COUNTY, SC (WCSC) - A family who stopped at a gas station to use the restroom was shot at during an armed robbery Saturday night in St. George.

The Dorchester County Sheriff's Office says a 34-year-old woman, her brother and husband decided to stop at the EZ Shop on 2722 Highway 14 North, since the woman had to use the bathroom.

The woman told deputies that as she was walking in the store, she noticed a man with a mask near the cash register. The woman said she heard one of the two suspects say, "Pop her."

The woman then ducked down and noticed some time later that the two suspects were beside her vehicle with her brother and husband inside.

According to police, one of the suspects told the husband to get out of the car. The husband told police that the suspect then began to shoot at their car.

The suspect then ran and got into an SUV and took off towards the highway. When deputies arrived they found two bullet holes in the victims' car.

A store clerk said it all started when she noticed two of the suspects outside of the store. She then ran back into the store and she and another clerk ran into the back room and locked the door.

According to the clerks, after the suspects tried to push the door open, they heard a gun shot.

Another clerk who was behind the counter, said when the suspects came into the store, he hit the alarm button. The man said the two males came into the store wearing black hoodies and masks.

One of the suspects then ran towards the Subway side of the store.

An incident report states that after one of the suspects shot a round into the door, the other suspect came up to him behind the cash register with a gun.

When the suspect told the clerk to open the safe, he said he could not open it. The suspects then took the cash register and ran out of the store.

Authorities say they found the cash register on I-26 Monday afternoon.

If you have any information you are asked to call police or Crime Stoppers at 554-1111.

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