By Conrad Dudderar
Associate Editor
A convenience store clerk was shot to death during an armed robbery early Tuesday and the suspect was later shot and killed by police officers.
Oklahoma City Police at 1:54 a.m. Nov. 12 responded to an armed robbery in progress at the 7-Eleven on the northwest corner of Czech Hall Road and Reno.
“There were shots fired while they were on the 911 call,” Oklahoma City Police Capt. Larry Withrow said. “When the officers arrived, the suspect was gone.”
The suspect reportedly shot to death the 7-Eleven store clerk, who had called police to report the robbery. The victim was identified as Ross Garrett, 63.
“The entire 7-Eleven family is devastated by the murder of our friend and colleague of 18 years, Ross Garrett, this morning at one of our stores,” said Jim Brown, president of 7-Eleven Oklahoma. “Ross was respected and loved, and we are in touch with his family and working closely with law enforcement to better understand how this could have happened.”
After the robber fled the scene, a second 911 caller alerted Oklahoma City police to the armed suspect’s location at a home at 10925 S.W. 33rd between Mustang and Sara roads.
“When officers were out in front of the house, the suspect opened fire on the officers,” Capt. Withrow said. “They returned fire and the suspect was deceased there at the scene.”
Justin Anderson, 39, was identified as the shooter.
Three other occupants of the house were not injured.
Two officers who fired their weapons have been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. The officers were not injured.