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Woman working alone at Oakland gas station opens fire after car rams food mart
A woman working the overnight shift at a gas station in Oaklands Fruitvale fired shots after someone repeatedly rammed the food mart before dawn.
OAKLAND, Calif. - A Shell gas station employee in Oakland's Fruitvale District opened fire on an unknown number of people trying to ram a car into the food mart, according to police and video obtained at the scene.
The Shell manager told KTVU that three Lexuses drove up to the business at 38th Avenue and International Boulevard at about 4 a.m. on Wednesday, before one of the drivers rammed a car into the entrance of the convenience store.
It was at this point, police said the employee fired at the cars, prompting them to drive away.
"We have a weapon in the store, so she just shot outside, and they got scared, so they just left," said night manager Khaled Mubarz.
Police say no one was hit by gunfire.
Mubarz said police took the store's Glock 19 as evidence, questioned the woman and let her go.
"It is legally OK to defend yourself, and she was obviously defending herself," Mubarz said. "If she hadn't shot, they would have gone into the store and probably with weapons and probably hurt her."
He said he believes the intruders were after the store's ATM and BItcoin ATM.
Video shows some of the aftermath of what happened, including where a bullet shattered the front window and a damaged front entrance roped off by caution tape.
This is just the latest incident in which thieves have used cars in hopes of breaking into jewelry stores, marijuana dispensaries and convenience stores, looking for valuables, safes or ATMs.
"This is out of control. The bottom line here in the city of Oakland, we need to do more to protect our businesses," said Councilmember Noel Gallo, who represents the Fruitvale District.
He said he's not surprised businesses have guns on hand.
"She's not the only one at this point that's carrying a weapon to protect themselves and protect the business. It happened in the past," Gallo said.
Henry Lee is a KTVU crime reporter. E-mail Henry at Henry.Lee@fox.com and follow him on Twitter @henrykleeKTVU and www.facebook.com/henrykleefan
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Oakland gas station ransacked by thieves
Oakland gas station ransacked by thieves