Men at Lee Ray's store thankful to be alive after attempted robbery

Days after an attempted robbery ended with two of three suspects shot, the men at Lee Ray's convenience store are grateful to be alive and voiced appreciation for their regular customers.

Five or six of them showed up at the Bayou Maria Road store after they heard about the attempted robbery, some of them armed. They offered protection while asking if the men were OK.

"When the people heard about the shooting in the store, like five or six people who live around the store came to the store with guns," manager Junior Issa told The Town Talk Wednesday night. "And guess what they said; Are you OK? Do you need help? We're here.

"And that's why we appreciate all the neighbors around here."

Employee John Awawda said they're just trying to make a living from the store and that they do respect the good people around the neighborhood. He said they'll try to help them out when they can.

That there were three men working that night was not an accident. Junior said a decision had been made to staff the store with three people because of other robberies in the area and because incidents like this always escalate as the holidays approach.

Junior said he owns a building in Pineville that he leases to a business. It recently was robbed twice within the same week, he said.

The attempted robbery happened around 7:15 Sunday night. As two customers were at the counter, the three suspects walked in, one pointing a gun toward the counter. Owner Frank Issa crouched near the floor and called for his brother, Junior, and Awawda.

By the tone of his voice, both knew something was wrong.

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Junior exited the nearby office, which drew the attention of one of the suspects who had taken the gun from another. As he walked toward Junior, Frank saw his chance and grabbed for a gun behind the counter.

He went to the register and fired, hitting a suspect dressed all in red. The suspect stumbled, hitting the door frame and a fire extinguisher as he ran. The two customers, an unidentified man and woman, quickly moved out of the way.

The other two suspects ran out as Frank fired again. In their haste, the suspects dropped the gun. One ran out of a shoe.

Junior said Frank knew what needed to be done when he saw a gun pointed at his brother's chest.

"What happens? You die, or you defend yourself," he said. "You've got two choices."

One suspect was found nearby with a gunshot wound to his abdomen. Junior says the man went to a home, broke a window and told the homeowner he'd been shot. He chuckled when he said the homeowner told the suspect he'd be shot again if he came inside.

The man was found by Rapides Parish Sheriff's deputies who responded to the scene. He was taken to a local hospital. Detectives were there as part of their investigation when a 16-year-old boy with a gunshot wound to his left arm arrived at the emergency room.

The teen was treated and released to his parents, but was arrested on Wednesday. He was charged with attempted armed robbery, possession of a handgun by a juvenile, criminal conspiracy and attempted first-degree murder.

He also had warrants for aggravated burglary and battery on a correctional officer. More charges may be possible, and officials are working to have him tried as an adult.

Warrants have been issued for the man still hospitalized, who is in stable condition, and for the third suspect, 23-year-old Devon Andrew Thomas.

On Wednesday night, Sheriff William Earl Hilton dropped by the store to check on the men.

"The sheriff came to the store and hugged us," said Junior, who said Hilton also expressed his thanks that they were not injured.

The men aren't worried because Thomas hasn't been captured. Junior says they defended their store and themselves Sunday night, but now the matter is in the hands of law enforcement.

"We're not going outside looking for anybody," he said. "That's why we know the sheriff will do the job."

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He said he wanted to tell their story before anything negative about them might be said. All three are U.S. citizens of Arabic origin.

Awawda said they love America, and they love the people they've come to know in the area.

All three spoke of being more concerned for the other during the attempted robbery. Awawda said both Junior and Frank have children to think about; Junior said Awawda hasn't even gotten married yet.

Junior said it feels good to know how many of their neighbors feel about them and that Hilton stopped by to see them. But there was something greater than that for which to be thankful.

"We're feeling good. We're still alive. We're not dead. That's the main thing."