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Gas station clerk shot in apparent armed robbery in Attleboro

ATTLEBORO, Mass. — Police are searching for an armed robber after a gas station clerk was shot and wounded early Monday morning outside a gas station in Attleboro.

Police Lt. Brian Kelley said a sergeant was on patrol around 2:30 a.m. nearby when she heard what sounded like gunshots. About a minute later she found the clerk outside the Mobil gas station at 1249 Newport Ave. with a single gunshot wound to his abdomen.

"It's critical that she was on scene so quickly," Kelley said. "She responded within a minute."

Kelley said the clerk told the sergeant that he was taking out the trash when he was approached from behind by a man who showed a handgun. The clerk struggled with the robber, who then fired one or two shots, Kelley said.

The clerk was transported to Rhode Island Hospital and is expected to survive after surgery Monday morning. A worker at the gas station told Boston 25 News the owner has been with the clerk at the hospital all day.

The shooter, who police described as a small-framed black man with braids, dark clothing and mask, then fled on foot down Newport Avenue, towards Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Kelley said. That person is still on the loose.

"The suspect did have a mask, described as possibly a monkey-style mask," Lt. Kelley said.

Police from Pawtucket and Providence are assisting Massachusetts State Police and Attleboro Police with the investigation. Kelley confirmed that other agencies were called in to help but said it's too early to say if the robbery is connected to crimes in other cities.

Attleboro police were seen searching for evidence early Monday and the entire parking lot was cordoned off with police tape as officers searched bushes and a grassy area that borders Newport Avenue.

The gas station is located just off Interstate 95, across from the South Attleboro commuter rail station.

Officials say they are looking at surveillance footage and the investigation is ongoing.