A police officer had pulled into the 7-Eleven when he was told a robbery was in progress. (Armando Navarro/FOX5)LAS VEGAS (FOX5) -
Las Vegas Metro police said the officer who shot an armed suspect during an attempted robbery at a 7-Eleven is a three-year member of the department.
Officer Steven Lehmann, 34, was identified Friday as the person who foiled a hold-up at the convenience store in the 2000 block of Jones Boulevard early Tuesday.
In the incident, 19-year-old Lawrence Howard had pointed a gun at a clerk during a robbery attempt. Lehmann was pulling into the store's parking lot when he was notified by frantic witnesses of the robbery.
Once the officer approached the store and saw Howard with the gun, the suspect turned his attention to the officer. Police said Howard pointed the gun at the officer and Lehmann opened fire.
Howard was transported to University Medical Center in critical but stable condition.
A second suspect – a 17-year-old - who was found hiding at the back of the store was also arrested.
Metro said the officer had been employed with the department since February 2009. He is on paid administrative leave as an investigation continues into the incident.
Stay tuned to FOX5 for the latest on this developing story.
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