CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- A teenage clerk at a Clinton Township party store allegedly shot a man during a robbery Thursday.

ClickOn Soundoff: Could Store Clerk Shooting Have Backfired?

It happened around 7:30 p.m. at Nick's Short Stop party store in Clinton Township located at Cass Road and Romeo Plank

The 17-year-old clerk said he was protecting his brother who was being held up by a knife.

"I just want people to understand we are the victims and I hope he is OK," store owner John Acho said.

Acho said he wants to make sure people know his nephew was acting in self-defense.

Police said the robber had a knife.

"I hope he is OK, but he had no right to come in here and rob the store and try to hurt people," said Acho.

Police said the clerk fired several shots at the 22-year-old robber, hitting him once in the chest and once in the arm.

The robber is hospitalized in grave condition, according to officials.

This is the second robbery of the store since Acho purchased it a month ago.

The Macomb County prosecutor office will decide whether charges will be filed against the clerk.