Taco Bell
Three employees at Taco Bell, pictured December 31, 2014, killed an armed robber out of self defense. Getty Images

Three employees from a Cleveland Taco Bell reportedly opened fire on two armed robbers Wednesday, police said. The restaurant's branch owner, Arthur Giles, claimed the employees killed one of the robbers out of self-defense.

Two masked assailants entered the restaurant and instructed three works to lie on the floor. However, three additional employees pulled out handguns to protect themselves. The suspect that suffered a fatal injury was shot in the ribs six times, whereas the second suspect managed to run away by foot. No customers or Taco Bell workers were injured from the incident.

"Everyone at the store is okay, from my understanding," Giles told Cleveland.com Wednesday. "All the employees and all the customers are safe."

Members of the Cleveland Police Department's (CPD) Homicide Unit, along with the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner Office (CCMEO), arrived at the scene. De'Carlo Jackson, 24, was identified as the dead robber. He was reportedly found with a loaded gun in his hand before being transported to MetroHealth hospital, according to Time. His accomplice's identity still remains unknown.

"Taco Bell and Sigma Bell, LLC., the franchise owner of this Cleveland, Ohio location, are shocked this happened at the restaurant," a Taco Bell media representative told International Business Times Thursday. "Our franchisee is fully cooperating with the Cleveland Police Department in their investigation."

"The employees are very shaken up from yesterday's events, and our franchisee is offering them counseling," Taco Bell added.

The employees who utilized self-defense are said to be two 19-year-old men and a 23-year-old man. No charges or arrests have been made.

"Officers responded to the Taco Bell Restaurant at 1531 W. 117th street on Sept. 6, 2017 at approximately 2:45 a.m. for a robbery with shots fired," the CPD told IBT Thursday. "Upon arrival, one suspect was located on the floor near the counter with multiple gunshot wounds."

"Officers administered first aid until the arrival of EMS. The suspect was conveyed to Metro Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased," CPD added.

The incident is still under further investigation by local law enforcement.

Taco Bell isn't the only restaurant to have an armed robbery experience, but they are among a select few that have employees effectively defend themselves from armed robbers.

Santucci's Restaurant in Warminster, Pennsylvania, was robbed at gunpoint Sept. 2. An armed, masked man forced staff members into an office and demanded money. The robber took an unknown amount of cash before fleeing the scene. The suspect has not been determined after local law enforcement completed a thorough investigation on the matter.

Employees and customers were forced by an armed robber to hide in a freezer at Ted's Montana Grill in Columbus, Ohio, Sept. 3. George Higgins, 32, was identified as the robber and arrested by the Columbus Division of Police SWAT. Higgins, a former employee of the restaurant, primarily stole money from a charity the establishment supports called No Kids Hungry, according to WBNS-10TV.

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