NEW ORLEANS –A gunman attempting to rob a customer at a gas station was instead shot in the hip by the customer Wednesday morning, according to the NOPD.

The incident occurred at the corner of Chef Menteur Highway and Downman Road around 5 a.m.

According to police, the gunman walked into the gas station armed, demanding money from the store clerk and also a customer’s wallet who was inside the store police said.

“After the robbery, the customer walked back to his vehicle in the parking lot, retrieved a handgun and then ordered the suspect to stop. At that point, the suspect fired several shots at the customer who then returned fire, striking the suspect,” said a statement from police.

The robber ran a short distance and then collapsed. The customer kept the gun on the robber until police arrived on the scene.

EMS transported the suspect to the hospital where he is listed in critical condition. Police found the stolen money and keys in the suspect’s possession. Police also found varied amounts of crack cocaine, heroin and prescription pills in the suspect’s possession.

One the robber is released from the hospital, he will booked with two counts of armed robbery, possession of stolen property and possession of illegal narcotics.