1 injured as robbery suspect opens fire in downtown Seattle

1 injured as robbery suspect opens fire in downtown Seattle »Play Video
The suspected gunman is held down by passers-by on Friday, September 21, 2012.
SEATTLE - A security guard was injured by gunfire Friday morning in downtown Seattle as he tackled a fleeing suspect in a jewelry store robbery just steps away from the federal courthouse, officials and witnesses said.

The drama unfolded Friday at about 10:30 a.m. when a masked man held up Express Jewelers at Westlake Mall, said Deputy Chief Nick Metz of the Seattle police.

As the suspect ran from the store, he fired a shot into the air. Employees at a nearby Wells Fargo bank branch heard the gunfire and activated their holdup alarm.

Seattle police quickly responded to the scene after the alarm sounded.

Meanwhile, the suspect, 35-year old Edmond Maynor, ran east from Westlake Mall and was chased by security officer from the nearby Mayflower Hotel.

The guard tackled Maynor and fought with him at Seventh Avenue and Stewart Street. Maynor then allegedly opened fire, hitting the security guard in the arm.

Amid the pandemonium, other passers-by then grabbed Maynor and restrained him. They piled on top of the man and held him down until officers arrived, cuffed him and took him into custody.

Watch cell phone video of the incident:


Witnesses said jewelry was seen spilled on the sidewalk after Maynor dropped it. A rubber mask and a gun also were seen lying on the ground.

Police said another man also was seen running from the scene after the robbery, and they are trying to determine if he was an accomplice.

"We have multiple crime scenes that we're working through," Metz said. "It's going to be a little bit before we're able to put everything together."

As the investigation continued, police found what appears to be a bullet hole in the wall of the Express Jewelers store.

Metz also said police do not recommend that citizens try to apprehend armed suspects during or after a crime because it can be very dangerous.

"We tell folks you should not being trying to tackle, not trying to chase anybody ... especially if you know they have a weapon. In this case, fortunately, even after having been shot, it appears the security officer is going to be OK. But not a safe thing to do."

"You've got to think about what the potential consequences are. Especially if you're not armed, and if you're not able to take the kind of action you may need to take against somebody who is. It's a very risky step to take."

He said investigators will be reviewing security video from the courthouse and anywhere else that may have been recording.

Maynor was arrested and booked on robbery and felony assault charges.