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Two Killed In Shootout At Joliet Store

Updated 01/20/15 - 11:33 a.m.

(CBS) -- A store clerk and an armed suspect were killed in a shootout inside a convenience store in southwest suburban Joliet Monday afternoon.

Joliet police say two men entered the Gardner Food Market on Gardner Street around 3:15 p.m. When one suspect showed a gun, the store clerk drew a weapon from beneath the counter, police said.

A shootout erupted, and both the gunman and the clerk were wounded. Two customers were in the store at the time, but were not hurt.

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The clerk, 24-year-old Mohammad Eid, was taken to Presence St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, where he was later pronounced dead. Family members said Eid was the son of the store's owner.

"He'll make your day, whether it's kids and on up," Eid's friend Howard McCullum said. "He'll be greatly missed."

Mohammad Eid
Mohammad Eid, 24, was killed in a shootout at his family's convenience store, after he exchanged gunfire with armed robbers on Jan. 19, 2015. (Family photo)

The two robbers fled the scene. The gunman who was shot, identified as 24-year-old Troy Norris, later was dropped off at St. Joseph, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Joliet Police Lt. Mike Batis said Norris had a long history of arrests, including for armed robbery, car theft, drug possession, and aggravated discharge of a firearm.

"Mr. Norris was currently on parole. He was paroled in January of 2014. He had been arrested by the Joliet Police Department 15 times," Batis said

Troy Norris
Troy Norris, 24, was killed when he allegedly pulled a gun during a robbery at a Joliet convenience store, and the clerk grabbed a gun and exchanged gunfire with Norris. (Supplied photo)

Joliet police were executing search warrants, checking surveillance camera footage, and following strong leads in their search for the second robber, and detectives were questioning at least one witness Tuesday morning.

Eid attended Central High School in Joliet. Friends and loved ones have set up a makeshift memorial outside the store, placing many flowers, a lighted candle, and a teddy bear near the entrance.

"He defended himself, and I'm really happy to hear that," said another friend, Debbie Brown. "I mean, God, I would have never … he's such a great, easy-going guy, I would have never thought he … I'm glad he defended himself."

Anyone with information about the robbery should call Joliet police at 815-724-3020 or Crime Stoppers of Will County at 800-323-6734.

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