Clerk, gunman dead after shootout in Joliet store, second suspect at-large

A clerk and gunman were killed in a shootout inside a store in southwest suburban Joliet on Monday afternoon during an attempted robbery, and police are searching for a second suspect.

Two males walked into the Gardner Food Mart at 1000 Gardner St. about 3:15 p.m. and pulled a handgun on the clerk, Joliet Police Chief Brian Benton said. The clerk also pulled out a handgun and they exchanged gunfire.

The clerk and one of the suspects were shot, Benton said. The other suspect fled the store immediately. The wounded suspect ran from the store a short time later.

The clerk, 24-year-old Mohammed Eid of Joliet, was taken to Saint Joseph Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, Benton said.

The wounded suspect later showed up at Saint Joseph’s, where he was pronounced dead a short time later, Benton said. He was identified as 24-year-old Troy Norris of the 400 block of Strong Avenue in Joliet.

Two patrons were inside the store at the time of the shooting, but were not hurt, Benton said.

The second suspect has not yet been caught.

“We’ve been working backwards since last night trying to identify the second robber,” Benton said.

He is described as 5-foot-9 or 5-foot-10, with a slim build and was last seen wearing a light-colored or gray hooded sweatshirt.

Police have surveillance video of the shooting, and are conducting interviews and search warrants in an attempt to track down the second suspect, Benton said.

Anyone with information should call Joliet police at (815) 724-3720.