A man who was demanding Percocet at a northwest-side Walgreens was shot by a Pima County sheriff's deputy outside the store Tuesday.
Deputies received reports that the man was armed, said Deputy Courtney Rodriguez, a sheriff's department spokeswoman.
The suspect, in his 30s, was taken to Banner-University Medical Center Tucson and was undergoing surgery for a rifle wound, said Rodriguez. He was in critical condition.Β
Shortly before 12:30 p.m., a 911 caller reported a robbery at the Walgreens at 7114 N. Oracle Road, near West Ina Road. Deputies arrived at the store under two minutes.
The suspect was inside the Walgreens and at the time deputies did not know the type of threat he was posing so they walked into the store, Rodriguez said.
Deputies learned a robber had climbed over the counter at the pharmacy and demanded Percocet. Other 911 callers reported the robber was armed.
Deputies found him in the store and chased him out of the Walgreens to the northeast parking lot. Deputies gave commands for the man to stop running, said Rodriguez.
At some point during the chase, Deputy Jay Korza perceived a threat and fired his rifle, striking the suspect in the lower back, said Rodriguez. Korza then gave life-saving medical treatment to the suspect.
Korza, a 15-year veteran, was placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure in an officer-involved shooting. Β
She could not elaborate on what led to the shooting, or if a weapon from the suspect was recovered.
"Detectives are questioning numerous witnesses," said Rodriguez, adding that several customers and employees were inside the store at the time of the incident.
"The suspect was seen with a semi-automatic handgun at the store," Rodriguez said.
No customers or deputies were injured in the incident, she said.
Detectives continued the investigation late into the night.
