By Matt Kawahara
mkawahara@sacbee.com
A 27-year-old woman died after she was shot in the chest during a gun battle this afternoon at a North Highlands pharmacy, a Sacramento County Sheriff's Department spokesman said.
Gallery: Officers investigate pharmacy shooting in North Highlands
See the surveillance video
A second employee, a 37-year-old pregnant woman, was shot in the foot.
One of the two robbers may have been wounded, Sgt. Tim Curran said.
Gunshots were exchanged in the Rexall Pharmacy (left photo) in the 5600 block of Watt Avenue and in the parking lot, Curran said.
"There were bullets flying everywhere," he said.
The 27-year-old woman was transported to Mercy San Juan Hospital with a gunshot wound in the chest, said Curran said. She died at the hospital, he said. Late Thursday, the Sacramento County Coroner's office identified the woman who died as Tania Gurskiy of North Highlands.
The robbers were still at large as of 5 p.m. One of them may have been hit by gunfire, Curran said.
Just before 12:30 p.m., the robbers entered the pharmacy and demanded drugs, Curran said. One of the robbers was armed.
A male employee also was armed. Curran said he doesn't know who fired first. After an exchange of gunfire, the robbers fled.
The male employee followed them out of the store and more shots were exchanged, Curran said.
The male employee was not wounded.
Juana Solis, owns the nearby El Salon Classico, was cutting a client's hair when they both hear the gunshots.
She ran to the pharmacy and looked through window, which had a bullet hole in it.
Solis said she saw one of the victims slumped behind the counter, bleeding from her chest.
The robbers are described as two black male adults. One is in his 40s, between 5 feet 10 inches and 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 160 to 180 pounds. He was wearing a white shirt and blue jeans. The other is in his mid- to late 20s, about 5 feet 8 inches tall and thin, and was wearing a black shirt and black jeans.
Anyone with information regarding the robbery is urged to call Sheriff's Homicide detectives at (916) 874-5115, or Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP. Tipsters may also send a text message tip by texting to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter SACTIP followed by the tip information. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
Call The Bee's Matt Kawahara, (916) 321-1015.
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