Armed Robbery stopped in Shreveport, LA (Aug 4, 05)

an armed man wearing a ski mask walked into Citgo in the 5700 block of South Lakeshore Drive in Shreveport about 9:30 p.m. Sunday, police Detective Mike McConnell said.

"The owner was working in the back of the store and heard the doorbell. He looks and sees one person dressed in all black standing behind the counter."

The 52-year-old recognized he was about to be robbed and pulled out a semiautomatic handgun he commonly carried, McConnell said. The unmistakable sound of the owner racking the gun's slide caused the would-be robber to turn and begin firing.

"The suspect fires first and the owner returned fire."

Several shots were exchanged, but no one was hit and nothing was taken from the store, police said.