AKRON, Ohio — The Akron Police Department is investigating a New Year's Day robbery at a Taco Bell where a man shot at an employee only for the worker to return fire.
“This robbery played out in ways we don’t see too often,” said Akron Police Capt. Michael Miller.
It happened around 7:30 p.m. on New Year's Day at the Taco Bell on South Arlington Street.
According to the 911 call, a masked man entered the restaurant and approached employees at gunpoint. One of the employees ran and hid in the freezer and called the police.
"We have an emergency. We have a shooting at Taco Bell on Arlington. Please hurry,” she told the dispatcher, explaining she heard 2-3 gunshots from her hiding place.
The employee handed the phone to a manager moments later, who told the dispatcher, "A guy walked in. I thought he wanted his order taken. And then he pulled out a gun.”
Investigators said the suspected robber fired the gun at another employee. That's when a 21-year-old worker pulled a gun of his own and shot back at the suspect, striking him in the chest. The robber then fled with an undisclosed amount of money.
“To some degree, [he] could’ve saved or prevented someone from being seriously injured or killed - himself or others,” said Miller.
A short time later, security at Summa Health Akron City Hospital reported a 35-year-old man had arrived at the hospital with gunshot wounds to the upper torso.
Police arrested another 33-year-old man who was in the car with the suspect. He was later charged with robbery and taken to the Summit County Jail.
The 35-year-old man is still in the hospital in serious but stable condition. Police said he would be charged with robbery and could face other related charges.
The car used in the robbery was impounded, and police said other evidence was collected.
It's unclear if the Taco Bell employee who was carrying a gun will be reprimanded, but Miller does not expect charges.
“This would appear that it would be a more internal matter between him and the employer, more so than an issue with us,” he said.
News 5 has reached out to the Taco Bell corporation about the incident to ask about the company's firearms policy and the worker's job status.
A corporate spokesperson issued the following statement:
“We are shocked to hear that this happened. The franchise owner and operator of this location has informed us that they are working with the local authorities in their investigation and that they will be offering support to all team members present.” – Taco Bell Corp.
Police are working to determine if the two men are connected to any other recent armed robberies in the area. Miller said the string of other incidents were similar, but this was the first time a suspect had fired a gun.
“We’ve been inundated by a number of other similar robberies in the area," he said. "So if those very strange set of circumstances bring that to a close, and no one was seriously injured, then certainly this is an outcome we can start the New Year with.”
