Robber Demands Wallet, Groceries Then Shoots Man

A 19-year-old Spokane man gave a robber his wallet and groceries early Wednesday, then was shot in the face by the bandit.

Spokane police refused to identify the victim, who was treated at Sacred Heart Medical Center and released for a wound to his right cheek.

The victim arrived at his home in the 300 block of East Augusta about 12:30 a.m. after buying some groceries, police said.

He got out of his car and was immediately confronted by a lone male with a pistol. The robber demanded his money and groceries, and the victim complied.

Before leaving, the robber called the victim some derogatory names and fired the pistol once, according to police. The bullet struck the victim in the right cheek and exited near the right ear.

The victim described the shooter as a black male, 5 feet 10, 150 to 160 pounds, age 14 to 18.

About an hour earlier, a similar robbery occurred in the 3600 block of West Heroy, police said. At 11:40 p.m. Tuesday, a gunman demanded money from a 25-year-old man who had just parked his vehicle.

The victim gave the robber his wallet, but when the gunman discovered no money in it, he returned it, police said.

That robber was described as a black male 6 feet tall, 170 pounds, and about 18 years old.