Armed men attempt to rob, shoot man in W. Knoxville parking lot

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Posted: 12:58 AM Jun 24, 2009 Armed men attempt to rob, shoot man in W. Knoxville parking lot Deputies are investigating a parking lot shooting in West Knoxville. Reporter: Ashley Whittle and Nick Bona Email Address: ashley.whittle@wvlt-tv.com, nick.bona@wvlt-tv.com

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Deputies are investigating a shooting in West Knoxville.

It started around 7:15 PM Tuesday in the 9100 block of Middlebrook Pike.

Officials from the Knox County Sheriff Office say three people were sitting in a car parked at the Kroger when two white men walked up and demanded money at gunpoint.

One of the suspects jumped in the backseat of the car as one of the original passengers took off running. With the suspect in the back seat, the driver started the car and took off driving to a nearby Hollywood Video.

The 24 year old driver parked and then tried to run from the car, but was shot in the side as he tried to flee.

Witnesses from nearby businesses immediately noticed problems and called 911.

"A girl came in crying and went to the bathroom,” said Taylor Oakley who works at a nearby ice cream shop. “She then ran back out as two cops arrived with an undercover agent and the ambulance. The guy was walking to the ambulance holding his side and he was in pain."

After the shooting, police say one of the suspects got into the driver seat and drove away in the victim’s car. It was found down the street with the motor still running.

Deputies said the two suspects got away in a black four door Honda

The victim was taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center where he was undergoing surgery as of around 9:15 PM. His name has not been released.

Investigators believe the two suspects knew the victim. They said both men are armed with small semi-automatic handguns and should be considered dangerous.

If you have any information about the shooting, call the Knox County Sheriff’s Office at (865) 215-2243.

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