North Charleston, South Carolina

From Charleston’s Live5News.com of July 17, 2007

Hotel Clerk Shoots Suspect

A man is in the hospital in critical condition after a shooting at a North Charleston hotel off Fain Street near Aviation Avenue. North Charleston Police say a hotel clerk gunned down a would-be robber.

The worker at America’s Best Inns and Suites says the suspect rushed into the lobby pointing something at him. Officials say that’s when the clerk pulled out his gun and fired two shots.

The suspect tried to run, but collapsed on the floor.

When police arrived, they rushed the suspect to MUSC.

He’s identified as 20-year-old James Brandon Johnson. He’s now charged with attempted armed robbery.

From the Charleston Post and Courier of July 18, 2007

Would-be robber picks wrong motel, gets shot

A motel clerk shot and critically wounded a masked man early Tuesday during an apparent armed robbery in North Charleston.

Christopher Robert Barr, 34, told police that a man in a ski mask ran into the lobby at America's Best Inns & Suites on Fain Street about 1:20 a.m., pointed something at him and demanded money, according to a police report. But the clerk had a gun as well.

Barr fired twice, the man walked a few feet and fell to the ground.

"Don't move. Don't aim," Barr can be heard telling the man during a 911 call to police. "He's hurt. I just shot at him. He's on the ground. He needs help, like bad. He's still alive, and he needs help."

Police found a black pistol on the ground near the wounded man, the report said.

James Brandon Johnson, 20, of Clements Avenue in North Charleston, was critically wounded, according to the report. He will be charged with attempted robbery, police spokesman Spencer Pryor said.

Pryor said there were no charges against Barr on Tuesday night and that police continue to investigate the incident. Pryor wasn't sure whether Barr was the registered owner of the .25-caliber pistol he used or if he was legally permitted to carry it, but he hoped to have answers to those questions today.

The motel had been robbed recently, and Barr kept the gun in his pocket for protection, the report said.

Motel officials would not allow Barr to comment about the shooting.

"He's kind of shaken up," said Bright Norman, general manager. "We're proud of him."