Two arrests in shooting at Houston Street convenience store

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Two teens accused of shooting a convenience store owner during a robbery Thursday, are in Metro Jail.

Nineteen-year-old Jalunnie Bradley and a 16-year-old boy were charged with first-degree assault and robbery.

Officers responded to 450 Houston Street Mother’s Finest Convenience Store.

Police say the two entered the store around 11:00 Thursday morning, demanded money, shot the victim, and then fled the scene.

The victim sustained a life-threatening gunshot wound and was transported to the hospital for his injuries.

Patricia Brown lives nearby and says she heard all the commotion.

Brown says she was shocked that anyone would try to rob him because he’s so well respected in the community.

“Boy dawg, they didn’t have to do you like that,” Brown said. “I just hope everything be alright and you can come back and keep on running this store.”

Several people in the community say the owner is known as “Boy Dawg.”

Brown says she’s been living in this community for decades and has never known him to bother anyone.

“He is a good person. And I been round here 32 years I know he a good person,” Brown said. “Anything you want in that store only thing you had to do was ask for it, he will give it to you. But to steal from him, he didn’t want you to steal from him. He’d rather give it to you.”

Officials say the owner is 69 years old and was shot in the back. He is in critical condition.

Brown says she’s a longtime friend of the victim and broke down when she heard the news.

She says everyone is praying that he makes it through.

“My prayers are with you. They really are. I done sat here and I done cried. And I’m trying my best now not to cry,” Brown said emotionally. “But I’m going to be strong for you and I want you to be strong and come on up out that hospital.”

According to jail records, Bradley lives just a few blocks from the store.

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