BALTIMORE — A Royal Farms employee was shot late on May 12, after a suspect stole from the store.
At about 11:35 p.m., Northern District officers were called to the 3600 block of Keswick Road to investigate a shooting.
After their arrival, officers found a 35-year-old male suffering from a gunshot wound.
They learned that the suspect entered the Royal Farms store, jumped over the counter and stole cash from the register. As the suspect was leaving the store, he turned and shot the employee.
This wasn’t your typical robbery. In this case, the suspect had already gotten the cash and was making his way out of the store when he turned and fired at the clerk at point-blank range.
After taking some cash, he jumps back over the counter and attempts to take the clerk’s life.
The suspect, dressed from head to toe in black, had made a small purchase before revealing his real intent.
At close range, the bullet struck the clerk’s cell phone, causing severe burns, which may require a skin graft, but diverted it from lodging in his body.
“I could have been in here last night. Yes, and it makes no sense. You got the money. Just go, dude. Just go.” said Cheryl Leister.
As of May 30, detectives arrested 17-year-old Matthew Caldwell of the 3400 block of Round Road.
Caldwell is charged with first and second degree Attempted Murder, Armed Robbery, Recklessness Endangerment, as well as other related offenses.
Matthew Caldwell remains in Central Booking where he is being held without bail.
