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A Point Breeze man has been charged with attempted murder in connection to the early Friday morning shooting of a doughnut shop employee.
A 22-year-old was behind the counter at Dunkin’ Donuts, 2025 S. Broad St., when Wilbert Saunders, of the 1900 block of Tasker Street, allegedly walked in at 12:16 a.m. and placed an order, Detective Danielle Tolliver of South Detective Division said. After the employee prepared the beverage and returned to the counter, Saunders, who is believed to have removed a gun from his pocket, allegedly said, “open the register.” When the worker refused, Saunders allegedly pointed the weapon at the man’s face and fired one shot, striking him in the nose, Tolliver said. Saunders then allegedly left the store empty-handed, walking north on South Broad. Witnesses contacted police and identified the man walking up the street as the offender, Tolliver said.
Spotting a gun in his hand, an officer demanded Saunders drop the weapon, but instead he dashed left on the 1400 block of West Passyunk Avenue, where backup officers caught up to him, Tolliver said. Saunders is believed to have dropped the firearm on the avenue, where it was recovered by police.
The 49-year-old was charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, robbery, theft, firearm violations, possession of an instrument of crime and three counts each of terroristic threats, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.
Saunders previously was on probation for possession, according to court documents. He served time for violating probation in 2007 in connection to a driving under the influence charge in ’00 and again in ’02 for simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.
The employee was transported to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and treated for the wound and a broken nose, Tolliver said.
The shooting was captured on store video surveillance, Tolliver said.
Ballistic evidence was recovered at the scene.
Contact Staff Writer Amanda Snyder at asnyder@southphillyreview.com or ext. 117.
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