NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- A customer was shot while trying to fight back against an armed robber in New Haven early Saturday morning, police said.

Police said a man armed with a gun tried to rob the Shell Food Mart on Willow Street at about 4:15 a.m.

The store's female clerk told police that a customer tried to put the robber in a headlock and was shot in the side in the process.

Police said the store clerk was grazed by a bullet during the altercation.

The gunman fled on foot toward State Street.

The injured customer, identified only as a 62-year-old man, was taken to Yale New Haven Hospital for treatment.

The clerk was grazed on her arm by a bullet and was treated at the scene.

The robber was described as a black man with a thin build. He is about 5 feet 6 inches tall and was last seen wearing a black face mask and black clothing, police said.

Police said he had a black semi-automatic handgun that was last seen in his left pants pocket.