Retired police officer shoots suspect during attempted armed robbery

BALTIMORE, Md. - On a short city block behind Judy's Island Grill and Bake Shop, no one heard the shots just after nine o'clock Wednesday night, but it didn't take long for word to travel.

"I'm surprised it even happened you know what I mean. It's like a lot of traffic going right here," said a customer.

About as much traffic as people coming in and out of the popular carry out on Park Heights.

Wednesday night city police say a 25 year old man walked into the restaurant and pulled out a gun.

He didn't count on a 63 year old veteran patrolman of the Baltimore city police department walking out at the same time.

Police say the retired officer shot the suspect once critically wounding the would-be robber.

Osborne Bristol wasn't working Wednesday night but says they rarely, if ever have a problem.

“No, never did," Bristol said.

Judy's was open again Thursday morning. The only evidence left of the shooting, a stray piece of crime tape wrapped around a nearby fence.

Residents here are sorry this happened at this location this time of year.

"This is a pretty nice restaurant. I'm sorry that anything like this happened and I wish that we can all get ourselves together and stop this stuff around the holidays and have a good holiday," said neighbor Keith Davis.

Baltimore police are not releasing the name of the retired officer but says he retired in 1999 and was a patrolman in the southern district.