Harris County, Texas

From July 14, 2007 KTRK channel 13:

(7/14/07 - KTRK/HOUSTON) - A northwest Harris County business owner trying to prevent a robbery accidentally shot and killed a customer.

Late Friday night at a shop on Gears and Walters, the business owner told authorities he would not let a man in because he looked suspicious and was carrying a gun.

"The business owner believed he was going to rob the business, so he took action to prevent that. It resulted in the death of one of his patrons," explained Sgt R. Nelson with the Harris County Sheriff's Office.

The owner says he shot at the robber but accidentally hit the woman. The stranger who tried to get in ran away. Investigators found a pistol on the ground. They're treating the shooting as an accident. It will be up to the district attorney to determine if charges will be filed.