The men in ski masks fled after taking a bag with cash and IDs, police said.
HOUSTON — A convenience store clerk was shot several times about 1:30 a.m. Wednesday while closing a shop near Barberry Drive and Scott Street, and two masked robbers escaped with his money bag, according to Houston police.
Detectives said the attack occurred Nov. 26 on the edge of Sunnyside as the worker secured steel panels at the front of the store. A police lieutenant at the scene said the men first fired near the entrance, then chased the clerk along the side of the building, wrestled away a bag holding roughly $1,500 and IDs, and fired again before running off on foot. Supervisors reached the scene within minutes and rendered first aid. The clerk was taken to a hospital; his name and age were not released.
Police gave only a limited suspect description: two men wearing ski masks and dark clothing. No vehicle was identified. Investigators said they are reviewing the store’s surveillance system and looking for additional footage from nearby businesses and homes along Scott Street. The lieutenant estimated the victim may have been shot up to eight times, based on early medical updates and the number of shell casings found. There were no arrests by Thursday morning and no charges filed.
The corner of Barberry and Scott is a retail pocket with small groceries, fast-food counters and auto shops. Overnight crimes in the area often occur in parking lots as workers lock up or transfer cash inside security bags. This case unfolded the night before Thanksgiving, when stores stay open late and deposits can be larger. Earlier this year, other southeast Houston incidents at closing time ended with injuries to workers and suspects, underscoring the quick, high-risk nature of such confrontations.
Robbery division detectives said next steps include collecting video angles showing the approach, compiling a timeline from 911 calls and patrol logs, and sending recovered shell casings for comparison. If investigators identify the men from images, they will present the case to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. Police did not say when they expect to release additional information, but indicated updates could come after they review surveillance on Friday.
On Thursday morning, a small crowd paused by the store’s taped-off side wall. “Our supervisors got there fast and kept him stable,” the police lieutenant said, standing near a row of evidence markers. A neighboring shop worker said he arrived to find the lot quiet and the front panels down. Another passerby said she saw officers collecting video from a camera mounted above the corner.
By midday Thursday, the clerk remained hospitalized and the suspects were still at large. Detectives planned to return to the area for more interviews and to gather any remaining video clips from businesses along Scott Street.
Author note: Last updated November 28, 2025.