Rome, Georgia , America, 27 December 2011

He was asked to give all cash present in the store, but instead of submitting to this demand of robber, he pulled out a handgun and fired a shot hitting the robber.

He is Jay Patel, a Gujarati NRI who owns Ark’s liquor store at 432 Shorter Ave.

Johnny Clifton Strickland, 30, 33 Heard St., Rome, allegedly entered the store wearing a mask, displayed a handgun and demanded all of the money. Instead of pulling out cash, owner Jay Patel pulled out a handgun and fired a shot hitting Strickland in the stomach and shattering plate glass in the door behind the suspect.

Strickland fled the scene, running several blocks to where he had stashed his getaway vehicle, leaving a trail of blood in his wake.

Early the next morning, Rome police got a report that a man with a stomach wound had showed up at Kennestone Hospital in Kennesaw.

Police say that a female friend actually drove Strickland to get medical help. The woman is not expected to face charges.

Strickland is being held in the Floyd County Jail without bond on charges that include armed robbery, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

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