Suspect exchanged shots with South Toledo shopkeeper

Mark Bilger, co-owner of Allied Music, said it was his brother Eric's idea to get a gun and a concealed-carry license and practice shooting. Yesterday, Eric Bilger shot a robbery suspect inside the store, striking Steve James, 30, of Toledo, in the hand and body. The Bilgers say their store has been burglarized several times since summer. THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON Enlarge | Photo Reprints

A South Toledo music store owner had hours of recent target-shooting behind him when he shot a man who police said tried to rob his store clerk at gunpoint Friday.

"It's fortunate that my brother has a license to conceal and carry," said Mark Bilger, who co-owns Allied Music with his brother, Eric Bilger, 49.

"Otherwise, we could have two corpses here today. He has become a good shot. Luckily, the other guy isn't."

The suspect, Steve James, 30, of Toledo, was in serious condition last night at the University of Toledo Medical Center, the former Medical College of Ohio Hospital. Police last night issued an aggravated robbery warrant for James, Sgt. Phil Toney said.

Mark Bilger said it was his brother's idea to get a gun and a concealed-carry license and that he had practiced target shooting for months, usually every two or three weeks on Sundays in Michigan, where they live.

Eric Bilger decided to get a concealed-carry license after the store was first burglarized. Burglaries have occurred three times since summer, Mark Bilger, 59, said.

Toledo police responded to the store at 2027 South Byrne Rd. near Heatherdowns Boulevard about 12:30 p.m. on a report of an attempted robbery and a person shot.

Sergeant Toney said the suspect entered the store asking about getting a job there. He left but returned a few minutes later and allegedly held a gun to the clerk's head.

As the man led the clerk to a back room, the clerk called out, "I need some help out here," and Eric Bilger appeared with a gun.

Then the suspect and Eric Bilger exchanged gunfire. The suspect, who was the only one hit, was struck in the body and hand, Sergeant Toney said. He said police were investigating who fired the first shot.

The suspect then ran across Byrne Road to the Burger King parking lot, where he collapsed, with Eric Bilger pursuing him, police said.

Neither Eric Bilger nor the clerk, whose name was not released, was injured.

Theresa Cleland, who with her husband co-owns Cleland's Outdoor World in Monclova Township, said that in the past two years she has noticed an increase in the number of gun buyers and people signing up for gun classes. Just this week, the business added a fifth basic pistol class.

Mrs. Cleland said customers have mentioned a number of reasons for stocking up on weaponry, from jitters about a worsening economy to worries about police layoffs.

And some of her customers have been store managers.

Said Sergeant Toney after interviewing Eric Bilger and the store clerk at the Safety Building downtown late yesterday afternoon:

"The store owner is lucky he didn't get shot. [As for] the suspect, it was just his unlucky day."

Staff writer JC Reindl contributed to this report.

Contact Mike Sigov at:sigov@theblade

or 419-724-6089.