Employee shot by pellet gun during robbery at Lincoln smoke shop, police say

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – An employee was shot by a pellet gun Friday during a robbery at a Lincoln smoke shop, police say.

Around 5:40 p.m., a man entered Midwest Smoke Shop near 48th and O Streets and asked for about $135 worth of merchandise.

Instead of paying, the man grabbed the items off the counter and left the store.

An employee ran out and tried to stop the thief as he got into a car.  The thief then shot the employee in the neck with a pellet gun, police say.

The employee was taken to a hospital with an injury that was not life-threatening.

Police say the thief had left the area before officers arrived.

An investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to call Lincoln Police at 402-441-6000 or Crime Stoppers at 402-475-3600.

SEE ALSO: ‘There is no end to it’: Lincoln vape shop owner frustrated by frequent burglaries