Texas gas station clerk shot, killed by shoplifters over bag of chips: report

On Friday, a Texas convenience store clerk was shot and killed while pursuing two shoplifters who had reportedly stolen a bag of chips, according to authorities.

The incident occurred around 11:30 am at the Sunoco gas station shop in Humble, Texas.

Police said that the 42-year-old store manager followed the thieves outside the store and confronted them about the theft. The thieves proceeded to flee the scene, making their escape on foot.

The employee decided to follow the robbers in his car, and that's when one of the suspect's pulled out a firearm and allegedly shot the gas station clerk, according to police.

KPRC has obtained surveillance footage from the store which shows two men dressed in dark apparel entering the establishment while the store manager mops the floor behind them with a bucket.

Videos show the men pacing before stopping in front of the chips in an aisle, where one man appears to have inserted a bag into his pants. They remain within the store for an additional minute or so before exiting without making a purchase.

The footage shows that the store attendant pursues them outside and engages in a verbal confrontation with them prior to their departure from the establishment. According to police, the employee then climbed into his vehicle and pursued the pair.

Police reported that the suspect starred shooting and the employee died in the driver's seat after being struck by one of the bullets during the barrage.

The vehicle was found covered in gunfire, according to KPRC.

Humble Assistant Police Chief Dan Zientek told reporters: "No one ever anticipates just going to work that day and not coming home."

"They started shooting at him, in which he tried to reverse his car and ended up on the median over there," Zientek said, according to the outlet.

"You’ve lost a great citizen who’s just trying to work and do their job, and instead we have two people that also have ruined their lives because they will be going to jail," said Zientek.

Police have not yet apprehended the suspects and are asking the public for help to identify them. The identify of the store clerk has not yet been revealed.