Published: July 23, 2008 11:02 am         

Store clerk shot in Alvarado attempted robbery

A store clerk remains in critical condition after being shot in the head early Wednesday morning in Alvarado, Police Chief John Allen said.

Karen Burke, 52, of Alvarado was shot during the robbery attempt at the Shell Travel Center on 1203 S. Parkway Drive. Police are looking for an unknown suspect.

The incident occurred about 1:35 a.m. Burke was in the store alone and mopping in front of the counter, Allen said. She stepped outside, possibly to empty a mop bucket for a moment, he said. When Burke re-entered the store, the suspect followed, shot her in the back of the head and went behind the counter to the cash register. The suspect attempted to open the register but couldn’t and left the store.

A customer arriving four or five minutes later found Burke on the floor and, at first, apparently thought she had slipped and fallen while mopping. Alvarado firefighters and CareFlite personnel responded to the scene and transported Burke to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, where it was discovered she had been shot, Allen said.

The suspect wore a dark hoodie, gloves and stood 5 feet to 5 feet 4 inches, Allen said. A store tape, which captures the suspect’s reflection in the glass when entering the store, has been sent to the FBI, Allen said.

The suspect is wanted on charges of assault with a deadly weapon. Should Burke not survive, the charges will rise to capital murder, Allen said.

     

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