Clerk shoots man after cell phone deflects knife

[June 17, 2009]  ROSWELL, Ga. (AP) -- A liquor store clerk's cell phone may have saved his life. Police said when a would-be robber tried to stab the clerk at Beverage Mart on Monday the knife dented the cell phone in the clerk's pocket, but did not injure him.

The clerk, 59-year-old Joseph Wescott, then pulled a gun and shot the man in the abdomen. The clerk was given the pistol by his son, a police officer.

The suspect ran from the store and 30 minutes later, North Fulton Regional Hospital reported getting a patient with a gunshot wound.

Police Lt. James McGee said the man was undergoing surgery at 11 p.m. for non-life-threatening wounds. He will be charged with aggravated assault and attempted robbery.

___

Information from: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, http://www.ajc.com/

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.