NATCHEZ — The armed owner of a local business thwarted an attempted robbery Thursday when he countered the would-be robber’s gun with his own.

Natchez Police Department Detective Jerry Ford said the intended victim of the robbery was a barber shop on Minor Street.

At approximately 8:30 p.m., a man wearing a ski mask entered the building, holding a gun and telling an employee who was cutting hair to give him money.

“While he was holding the gun, the owner came from the back and fired a shot at him,” Ford said. “We don’t know if he was hit, but the suspected robber ran out of the shop and fled the scene.”

Three people had entered the shop shortly before the attempted robbery happened, Ford said, and police are unsure if they were involved with the incident or not.

The incident remains under investigation, and the police are searching for more information to identify the would-be robber, Ford said.

Anyone with information about the shooting should contact Crime Stoppers at 601-442-5000.

Crime Stoppers offers rewards of up to $1,000 for tips leading to the arrest and conviction of a suspect.

Callers may remain anonymous.