ATLANTA - Atlanta police are investigating after a shootout at a Texaco gas station in west Atlanta.
The shooting happened on the 2700 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive at 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
According to police, a man, who was not an employee, was cleaning up outside the gas station when three men approached him and attempted to rob him.
A bystander who was filling up gas at the time told police he saw three men approach him.
"The victim said that he observed three black males get out of a white vehicle and attempt to rob a guy on the corner," Captain Brian Schiffbauer said.
That's when he intervened and tried to stop the attempted robbery. Police said he pulled out his AK-47 to defend the other man.
During the altercation, a shootout ensued and the bystander was shot five times. Police say more than 20 rounds were fired and the victim suffered gunshot wounds to the rear end and his right side. He was transported to Grady in stable condition.
Both the AK-47 and a handgun were recovered at the scene. Atlanta Police are searching for three suspects at this time.
Rosalie Little lives around the corner and visits the store often. She is applauding the man who intervened, calling him a good Samaritan.
"I praise the man. I'm sorry he got shot and I pray for him and his family but like I said its nice to know its some good Samaritans still out here willing to put their lives on the line for us," she said.
