Robbery suspect shot, killed by clothing store clerk in East Hartford

EAST HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) - A clothing store clerk was shot in the lower back and a suspect was killed during a robbery attempt in East Hartford Thursday night, according to police.

The suspect who was killed was identified as 26-year-old Jashar Haslam of Hartford.

Police responded to the Humble & Paid Co. on Main Street near Route 44 around 10:30 p.m.

Two men in black ski masks entered the store.

Police said a brief struggle took place between the store clerk and one of the suspects, who pulled out a firearm. During the struggle, the clerk was shot in the back by that suspect.

The store clerk was able to return fire with two of his legally-registered firearms. He struck Haslam several times.

Officers on scene provided life saving measures for Haslam until the East Hartford Fire Department arrived on the scene.

The suspect was transported by an ambulance to the hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said.

The store clerk was treated on the scene for a gunshot wound to the lower back. The clerk was transported to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

The second suspect was reported to have run out of the building during the initial struggle. The second suspect remained on the loose, according to police.

No other details were released.

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