U SHUD NOT BRING A KNIFE TO A GUNFIGHT

Syracuse, NY

A masked man armed with a knife was no match this afternoon for
a Syracuse store employee armed with a rifle, Syracuse police said.

Police were called to a robbery in progress at 12:39 p.m. today to
Balwi Food Market, 801 Butternut St. When officers arrived, they
found the store clerk with a rifle pointed to the head of Urban Anderson,
31, Sgt. Tom Connellan said. The clerk is not being named by police.

Connellan gave these details:

Anderson, of 210 Lincoln Ave., walked into Balwi Food Market wearing
a ski mask and carrying a knife. Anderson walked behind the counter
and confronted the 21-year-old store employee. Anderson and the
store employee exchanged words and Anderson began swinging the knife.

The employee, who suffered cuts to his arms by the knife, was able to
fend off Anderson before he grabbed a rifle kept behind the counter
for protection. The store employee forced Anderson to the floor,
keeping him there until police arrived.

Anderson was charged with attempted robbery and assault, both felonies,
and criminal possession of a weapon, a misdemeanor.

The store clerk's cut arms were treated at St. Joseph's Hospital, police said.