'Hard-working guy:' Man who runs gas station shot, seriously injured during robbery

MILWAUKEE -- A 26-year-old man who runs the Petro Mart near 5th Place and Chase Avenue was taken to the hospital early Thursday morning, Aug. 23 with a serious gunshot wound after a shooting during a robbery.

According to police, the shooting happened around 2:30 a.m. at a gas station near 5th Place and Chase Avenue -- just south of Lincoln.

Petro Mart near 5th Place and Chase Avenue

Shooting near Chase and Lincoln

Shooting near Chase and Lincoln

Waqar Hussain

Waqar Hussain told FOX6 News he ran the Petro Mart for 10 years, but recently turned it over to the victim. He said the suspect(s) robbed the store and took cash out of the register -- and his friend's head was grazed by a bullet.

"2:00 some black guys came and they just tried to rob him, and I don't know exactly how it happened. Maybe he refused to give them money, and they shot him. They told me the bullet goes from here to here, touch his skin and goes all the way down. I heard they have to do surgery now. Whenever he need my help, we need to talk about the business, he always calls me. I know his whole family. I'm shocked. People, this neighborhood is getting really bad. When I used to do business, it wasn't this bad," said Hussain.

Detectives with K-9 units spent more than 10 hours at the scene, collecting evidence. Neighbors said they've had enough of the crime.

Joan Karamus

"I saw all of the squads and the tapes are up, and I thought, 'oh not again,'" said Joan Karamus.

Karamus said she's ready to move out of the neighborhood.

"You could walk on the street. You could go take a walk. Now you don't dare sit on your porch," said Karamus.

Hussain said he hopes his friend fully recovers. He said his friend supports his wife, mother and two brothers, who came to the United States from Pakistan.

"Excellent guy. Hard-working guy. Young boy. Living the American dream," said Hussain.

Police are investigating, and seeking suspect(s).