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Queens Deli Worker Shot In Head During Attempted Robbery

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A deli worker was grazed by a bullet during a violent attempted robbery in Queens over the weekend.

Police are on the hunt for four men. They were caught on camera inside and outside the store, CBS2's Aundrea Cline-Thomas reported Tuesday.

Video shows three men dressed in dark clothing, their faces covered, lingering inside the Gourmet Deli on Sutphin Boulevard in Queens just before 1 a.m. on Saturday. The 27-year-old employee is seen behind the counter.

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A deli employee is recovering after being shot in the head during a robbery attempt over the weekend in Queens. (Credit: NYPD)

Police said the men demanded money, but the employee refused. After appearing to leave the store they returned. One suspect had his gun drawn and fired one shot. The bullet grazed the employee's forehead.

"Unbelievable. Some people have no value for life, shooting somebody like that for no reason," Gourmet Deli owner Michael Azookari said.

The suspects did not steal anything. The bullet tore through the plastic bread case the employee was standing directly behind. He's taking some time off from work, CBS2's Cline-Thomas reported.

"He's good. We tell him to relax. It's like shock. Anybody would. We're shocked. So thank God he's good," Azookari said.

Customers stopped by after learning what happened.

"They told me over there they was held up, so I said let me come in here and check on them," one person said.

Police have been parked outside as a deterrent as the search for the suspects continues.

The employee is lucky his injuries are not worse. Azookari said he tells his staff to comply with the suspect's demands in those types of situations.

"I always tell them, 'Watch yourself. It's not worth it.' It's not," he said. "Can't bring back your life."

Police said the three men ran out of the store and down 110th Avenue. Officers are also looking for a fourth man who was posted up outside and acted as a lookout, Cline-Thomas reported.

Anyone with information is asked to call NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or 1-888-57-PISTA (74782) for Spanish. You can also submit a tip via the Crime Stoppers website, by Tweeting @NYPDTips or by texting a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) and then entering TIP577.

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