Youth Shot by Gas Attendant in Holdup, Police Say

A 17-year-old San Diego boy was in serious condition and faced possible paralysis from the waist down after he was shot in the back Friday night by a gas station attendant during what police believe was a robbery attempt.

The youth was being held under police guard at UC San Diego Medical Center on suspicion of simulated robbery, said Bill Robinson, a San Diego police spokesman. He was arrested shortly before 4 p.m. after what Robinson said was an abortive robbery.

According to Robinson, the youth appeared to be buying candy at a gas station at 54th Street and University Avenue when he reached into his waistband and told the clerk to “give it to me.” Hearing a commotion, a second clerk emerged from a back room to see what was happening.

“The suspect said something to the effect of ‘Don’t get involved,’ then turned around as if to complete the robbery,” Robinson said. “Then (the second clerk) fired a shot from a small-caliber automatic that apparently they kept in the station for security.”

The youth, who was struck once in the back, was taken to UCSD Medical Center, where a spokeswoman reported that he was in serious condition. Robinson said, “The condition is stabilized and he could be paralyzed from the waist down.”

Police found a lug wrench in the teen-ager’s waistband, Robinson said.

Robinson said no charges were filed against the clerk who shot the teen-ager. “It appears to be a legitimate shooting,” Robinson said.

He said police were looking for three young men in a red Datsun 210 who were believed to have been accomplices in the attempted robbery. Robinson said the youth is believed to have arrived at the station in that car.