A victim is dead after an armed robbery at a Phoenix Circle K.
Officers initially responded to reports of an armed robbery at a Circle K convenience store near 19th Avenue and Grant Street on Wednesday morning.
When officers arrived at the scene, the suspect remained inside the building and police attempted to make contact with him.
During the standoff, police realized a male victim inside the store had been shot.
The victim was shot before officers were able to enter the store. Officers were provided with information from an employee who was monitoring live surveillance who noticed someone was injured.
It is unclear if the victim and the suspect knew each other. A motive for the whole incident is currently unknown.
Due to the urgency of trying to assist the victim shot, officers opened fire on the suspect who was not listening to commands.
Officers made entrance into the store and police say the suspect still refused commands and appeared to be reaching for his waistband. Police opened fire once again on the suspect, ending the threat.
The victim, 24-year-old Efran Hernandez, did not survive his injuries.
The 52-year-old suspect was injured and transported to the hospital for treatment. The name of the suspect has not been released, because he is still hospitalized. He's expected to survive.
Once he's booked into jail police are expected to release his identity.
A Circle K employee was able to barricade herself inside a back office during the incident and was able to escape unharmed.
No officers were hurt during the incident and the investigation is still active.
Wednesday's incident marks the 37th shooting involving law enforcement in the Valley in 2018 with the latest shooting happening Tuesday in Mesa.
