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Tampa store clerk fatally shoots would-be robber

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TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Police say a 20-year-old would-be robber is dead following an exchange of gunfire with a Tampa liquor store clerk.

The shooting happened late Sunday at Cut Rate Liquors near Tampa's Ybor City neighborhood.

In a news release, Tampa police say two men wearing ski masks and hoodies walked into the store at 10:49 p.m. and pointed guns at 57-year-old clerk Willie Morris and demanded cash. Morris pulled out a gun and at least one of the men fired at him. The clerk fired his gun, striking Cody Bolesta.

Police say Bolesta died at the scene. The second man ran before police arrived.

Morris wasn't injured in the shooting.

Investigators say the shooting appears to be in self-defense but the State Attorney's Office will make a final determination.