Woman injured in shootout with masked robbers at north Houston pawn shop

A robbery at a north Houston pawn shop escalated into a shootout involving a customer Tuesday afternoon, law enforcement officials confirmed.

An armed female customer who confronted the suspects was shot in the leg and taken to the hospital, where she is listed in stable condition, according to the Houston Police Department.

Officers with the North Belt division responded around 2 p.m. to the 12800 block of Airline Drive near Aldine Bender Road after reports of a robbery.

HPD Lt. Larry Crowson said two masked men wearing hoodies entered the store and began stealing jewelry from employees.

Grizzy’s Hood News posted still images of the robbers captured by a customer during the incident.

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During the robbery, a female customer yelled at the suspects and followed them outside.

Police said the woman was armed, and a shootout broke out between her and the suspects in the parking lot. Authorities said it remains unclear who fired first.

The woman was struck in the leg during the exchange of gunfire.

Investigators said the suspects fled the scene in a Suburban SUV. The vehicle was later found abandoned nearby and determined to have been reported stolen.

Both suspects remain on the run.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Houston Police Department or Crime Stoppers as the investigation continues.