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An innocent bystander was struck with a gun during a robbery at an off-licence in Greater Manchester on Saturday 14th April.
The incident occurred at the Food and Drink 4U shop on Green Street, Atherton in Wigan shortly after 9am.
Two men in dark hooded tops with their face concealed burst into the store. The victim was inside being served by a lone cashier.
One of the thieves was armed with a handgun, which he used to beat the customer about the head before dragging him onto the shop floor and pinning him to the ground.
His accomplice made his way behind the counter and filled a light-coloured duvet cover with tobacco and cigarettes. He threatened the cashier, forced her to open the till and stole money from it.
The cashier activated the store's panic alarm just after the offenders fled in the direction of Lord Street. The customer attempted to give chase, but backed down when the armed thief pointed the pistol at him.
Police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward, and are particularly keen to speak with anyone who saw a silver Ford Fiesta with a 58 plate drive off towards Tyldesley Road.
Detective Constable Kevin Telford, of Wigan CID, said: "Whomever the offenders are, they are clearly dangerous and have access to a firearm. The level of violence they displayed to hit a customer with a gun and threaten a woman working in an off-licence shows what sort of cowards we are looking for and I would appeal to anyone who can help us find these men to come forward.
"We already have a number of lines of inquiry we are pursuing and I would particularly like to appeal to anyone who saw these offenders getting into a silver Ford Fiesta with a 58 plate - which then drove off at high speed - to come forward.
"It is vital we trace these men because we cannot allow such violent offenders to target customers or staff who work in high street premises, and I would ask that anyone who has information, no matter how trivial they think it might be, to call us."
Anyone with information should call Wigan CID on 0161 856 7352 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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