News 12 at 6 o'clock, April 20, 2009

AUGUSTA, Ga.---An 18-year-old was shot after investigators say he tried to rob a pizza deliveryman at an empty house.

A delivery in Augusta turned into a crime scene Sunday for Papa Johns Driver Tavarius Lewis. When he tried to deliver a pizza to this house on Dent Street Sunday night, investigators say Kevin Martin pulled a BB gun and tried to rob Lewis.

"[Lewis] started backing up, reached in his pocket and pulled out a .40 caliber handgun and shot the suspect," said Sgt. Blaise Dresser, of the Richmond County Sheriff's Office.

Dresser says Lewis shot in self-defense, not realizing Martin's weapon was only a BB gun.

It's a scary situation for neighbor Oscar Lacey, who lives just across the street and heard the shots.

"With things like this happening it means I have to lock up my house. You don't have the freedom on your own property anymore. You could get hit by a stray bullet," says Lacey.

Investigators believe this was not Martin's first robbery. Less than 24 hours before the shooting on Dent street a similar robbery happened just a few streets over, on Truxton Road. Martin lives just a few houses down from there.

The crime, though, is not new.

"It's not just pizza, it's been Chinese food, any food that can be delivered. We've seen where these businesses have been victimized in the past," said Dresser.

Another business where a worker shot when he felt threatened was the Walton Way CVS just last week. Investigators say in these types of situations, shooting is legal.

The suspect, Martin, is expected to make a full recovery. He is facing charges of armed robbery.

The driver, Lewis, is on paid leave from Papa Johns while the sheriff's office investigates. Papa Johns has a policy that says no workers can carry concealed weapons, either on them or in their car.