UPDATE: Alleged robber shot down

A man died Friday night after allegedly robbing a Yuba City grocery store and trying to flee.

Police responded to the Percy Avenue Market at around 8:30 p.m. after they were dispatched to a call of a hold-up alarm at the market.

Deputy Police Chief Rob Landon said the suspect robbed the market but never left the premises.

“He made it to the other side of the parking lot and expired,” Landon said.

Landon did not release the identity of the shooter but a press release issued today confirmed it was the store clerk.

The robbery suspsect, described as "a white male who appeared to be in his mid-30s," asked for money from the clerk, was given some cash, asked for more money, and then was shot by the clerk, according to the police statement.

He ran out to the back parking lot but died at the scene.

“It’s been robbed before,” said Matthew Lewis, 26, a neighbor of the market.

Lewis said he ran to the market from his home across the street after he heard two gunshots.

“I wanted to check on my friends,” he said. “I’ve known the owners for a while. I wanted to see if they were OK.”

Police did not release the deceased man’s name, pending family notification.

Landon did say, however, the alleged robber had a handgun and money from the store on him.

Police are still investigating the incident.

Appeal-Democrat reporter Andrea Koskey can be reached at 749-4709 or at akoskey@appealdemocrat.com