FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) – A verbal dispute between two customers outside a 7-Eleven in Fort Lauderdale escalated until one of them opened fire on the other, sending the injured man to the hospital, police said.

Fort Lauderdale Police units responded to the scene of the shooting along the 2900 block of East Sunrise Boulevard, at around 4:30 a.m. on Thursday.

Officers arrived to find the victim suffering from a gunshot wound.

“As we zoom into the 7-Eleven, it looks like some kind of scuffle or something went down at the 7-Eleven, looks like some possible medical debris there,” said 7Drone Force reporter Steven J. Gray.

According to the store clerk, Jason Safoutin, the two customers got into an argument in the parking lot, and at one point, one of them fired a single round at the other.

“Pretty shocking, to say the least. It’s not every day you get to see this at work. The exchange lasted no more than a few seconds, so it wasn’t like any yelling, I didn’t hear any yelling,” Safoutin said.

The shooter apparently brought the victim into the convenience store, and Safoutin called 911.

Though the clerk was left shaken, he knew he had to take immediate action as soon as he heard the gunshot.

“It was kind of scary for a second, but I knew right away that it was a gunshot, and I was on the phone with police immediately,” Safoutin said.

Safoutin praised law enforcement for their quick response.

“They came real quick. They were here within 30 seconds of the call,” he said.

The victim was shot in the abdomen, police said. He was transported to a local hospital in critical but stable condition.

Those who work nearby were surprised by the violence.

“Because usually, if you come at 6 a.m. and you see all those [police] cars, and then [you think] maybe it’s an accident or something, but not like it was a shooting there,” said Ramon Gonzalez.

Detectives were seen taking photos of the crime scene and speaking with witnesses.

Police said the gunman fled the scene, possibly in a light colored sedan.

Officers have since cleared the scene, and the 7-Eleven has reopened for business as usual.

If you have any information on this shooting or the subject’s whereabouts, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.

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