Witnesses describe the gun fire that echoed down Wyalusing Avenue Friday morning as sounding like a machine gun after an armed robbery inside a West Philadelphia market went bad.
The owner chased the gun toting robber down the block and opened fire.
"I do what I had to do," said store owner Fercido Nunez.
"Clearly this guy was in danger, his family was in danger," said Lt. John Walker of Southwest Detectives.
It all started just before 9 am. inside the market. Police say the gunman walked in, announced a robbery to the owner's wife and stole $40. Then, he turned on the owner and fired two shots. The 39-year-old Nunez fired four shots back from his licensed handgun.
"He was concerned for his family and there was a child walking through that door at the exchange of gunfire," Walker said.
When the gunman ran from the store, the owner, a former police officer in the Dominican Republic, gave chase, then opened fire when the robber turned on him with his .38 caliber revolver.
"He didn't intend to shoot him, when the male turned on him with the gun a second time, he discharged," Walker added.
The owner's daughter praised her dad's actions
"He's great. I love my dad," said Catherine Nunez.
"He's heroic inside the store," Walker said.
"I'm just a simple guy doing a service for the community...you had to do what you had to do. Yes. Thank you so much guys," Nunez said.
"You can put me on that jury, he's innocent," said one neighbor
Neighbors say the store owner is a good guy who did the right thing chasing the gunman and shooting him.
"I heard they had a gun to his wife's head, he came out and shot him. Vigilante justice," a neighbor said.
"He is permitted to do that under those circumstances. We'll confer with the district attorney," Walker explained.
It appears no charges will be filed against the store owner.
The suspect was shot twice in the stomach.
Police say he's a convicted felon and not supposed to have a gun. He will be charged with two counts of attempted murder, robbery and weapons offenses. He is in critical, but stable condition at the hospital.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:47 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:47:02 GMT
City administration officials came before a City Council committee with orders not to talk about the building collapse, but that didn't stop council members from raising questions.
City administration officials came before a City Council committee with orders not to talk about the building collapse, but that didn't stop council members from raising questions.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 5:17 PM EDT2013-06-18 21:17:37 GMT
Lots of traffic and police activity, police cameras are everywhere. But that didn't stopped this armed robber from calmly walking into a Dunkin Donuts on camera Monday afternoon and sticking the place up.
Lots of traffic and police activity, police cameras are everywhere. But that didn't stopped this armed robber from calmly walking into a Dunkin Donuts on camera Monday afternoon and sticking the place up.
Monday, June 17 2013 5:18 PM EDT2013-06-17 21:18:27 GMT
"Very creepy" is the way neighbors are describing the most recent incidents involving a suspected prowler in Lumberton who has struck three times in the last couple of months.
"Very creepy" is the way neighbors are describing the most recent incidents involving a suspected prowler in Lumberton who has struck three times in the last couple of months.
Friday, June 14 2013 5:02 PM EDT2013-06-14 21:02:59 GMT
Just hours after L&I building inspector Ronald Wagenhoffer ended his own life Wednesday night, sources say police found a videotape on which Wagenhoffer says "it wasn't my fault."
Just hours after L&I building inspector Ronald Wagenhoffer ended his own life Wednesday night, sources say police found a videotape on which Wagenhoffer says "it wasn't my fault."
Thursday, June 13 2013 5:36 PM EDT2013-06-13 21:36:19 GMT
"We have now lost seven lives in connection with this tragedy." With those words, city officials confirmed the overnight suicide of License and Inspections Inspector Ronald Wagenhoffer.
"We have now lost seven lives in connection with this tragedy."With those words, city officials confirmed the overnight suicide of License and Inspections Inspector Ronald Wagenhoffer.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 10:14 PM EDT2013-06-20 02:14:32 GMT
At approximately 2:45pm Wednesday afternoon, a bank robbery occurred at the National Penn Bank on E. High Street in Pottstown, PA. Police have captured three of the fours suspects so far.
At approximately 2:45pm Wednesday afternoon, a bank robbery occurred at the National Penn Bank on E. High Street in Pottstown, PA. Police have captured three of the fours suspects so far.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:19 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:19:58 GMT
Breaking news in North Philadelphia on the 2300 block of North Tenth Street, where three people, including a pregnant woman, were shot. This happened just before four this afternoon.
Breaking news in North Philadelphia on the 2300 block of North Tenth Street, where three people, including a pregnant woman, were shot. This happened just before four this afternoon.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:11 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:11:57 GMT
If you hated going to traffic court in Philadelphia, you won't have to anymore! Today, Governor Tom Corbett signed a bill abolishing traffic court,effective immediately.
If you hated going to traffic court in Philadelphia, you won't have to anymore! Today, Governor Tom Corbett signed a bill abolishing traffic court,effective immediately.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:57 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:57:28 GMT
A main line mascot gets the boot. At issue: cultural sensitivity.It's an issue that's been playing out on athletic fields all over America: re-thinking team names and the mascots that go with them.
A main line mascot gets the boot. At issue: cultural sensitivity.It's an issue that's been playing out on athletic fields all over America: re-thinking team names and the mascots that go with them.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:47 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:47:02 GMT
City administration officials came before a City Council committee with orders not to talk about the building collapse, but that didn't stop council members from raising questions.
City administration officials came before a City Council committee with orders not to talk about the building collapse, but that didn't stop council members from raising questions.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:06 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:06:59 GMT
Six of the people accused in one of the largest public corruption cases in our area's history plead guilty today in court. 18 people total are accused of bilking the Bensalem school district.
Six of the people accused in one of the largest public corruption cases in our area's history plead guilty today in court. 18 people total are accused of bilking the Bensalem school district.
WTXF-TV 330 Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19106-2796
Store owner Fercido Nunez talks with investigators after he opened fire on a gun-toting suspect.
