The incident took place in East Hartford around 10:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 2 at the Humble & Paid Company at 1285 Main St.
According to East Hartford Officer Marc Caruso, two suspects wearing black ski masks entered the business with the intention of committing a robbery.
A brief struggle took place between the store clerk and one of the suspects, identified as Jashar Haslam, age 26, of Hartford, who pulled out a firearm. During the struggle, the clerk was shot in the back by Haslam, Caruso said.
The store clerk was able to return fire with two of his legally registered firearms, striking Haslam several times, Caruso added.
Officers on the scene provided life-saving measures for Haslam until the East Hartford Fire Department arrived on the scene. He was transported by ASM to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The store clerk was also treated on scene for a gunshot wound to the lower back. The store clerk was transported to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
The second suspect was reported to have run out of the building during the initial struggle and has not been located, Caruso said.
The name of the store clerk has not been released.
This is a developing story. Check back with Daily Voice for updates.
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