Marston, NC resident Tonia Robbins, 55, was shot after shopping at the Walmart on Seaboard Street in Myrtle Beach around 1:20 a.m. Friday.
Tonia, her son Jeremy, 25, and her sister Ann, 58, parked across the street from the Walmart at 794 Oak Forest Lane near Highway 501 because the Walmart parking lot was full.
"My wife and son were at the rear of the car when the man jerked her pocket book and said 'give me your purse'," said Tonia's husband, Jerry Robbins. Jerry was not present during the robbery. "She was taking it off her arm when (the suspect) shot her in the foot."
Jeremy then jumped on the shooter and tried to take him down but was hit in the head with the pistol, said Jerry.
During this time, another man approached Ann at the front of the car. Ann reached in the car, grabbed her pistol and pointed it at the second suspect who ran away.
Ann pointed her gun at the man who shot Tonia, but he didn't move. Ann then shot above the man's head a few times and he ran off with Tonia's purse.
Before the first suspect ran away, he fired another shot at Jeremy that missed, said Jerry.
Tonia is being treated at Grand Strand Medical Center and told NewsChannel 15 she is having surgery this afternoon.
"The police said if Ann had not had the pistol the outcome may have not been as good," said Jerry. "I think it is just sad because all three involved are law abiding citizens."
Jeremy received four staples in the head at the hospital and is in good condition, said Jerry.
Police say they were searching for two suspects.
The investigation is ongoing.
