Hero gran, 59, fatally shot trying to save co-worker in attempted mugging

Cracker Barrel manager Robin Baucom, 59, was fatally shot as she tried to help a co-worker as she was being mugged outside the restaurant near Houston, Texas

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Texas: Community holds vigil for grandma after fatal shooting

A heroic gran who was shot as she tried to stop a co-worker being robbed “would do anything in the world to protect her employees or any of us” said her family.

Cracker Barrel manager Robin Baucom, 59, was shot in the chest at the diner near Houston, Texas, after two men driving a Dodge Charger tried to steal a purse from another worker.

Ms Baucom, who worked at the restaurant for 34 years, had arrived early in the morning and saw the two men as they tried to rob the other employee as she was entering the building, Harris County Sheriff Gonzalez reportedly said.

She rushed to unlock the door to allow the worker in and pushed one of the robbers who tried to get inside.

But in the struggle the man shot her in the chest. She was taken to hospital but sadly died.

“Our condolences go out to her family. Sad to think these victims were simply starting their day, working,” Gonzalez said, reported the Star-Telegram.

Police have released CCTV images of a suspect, who was wearing a black hoodie, black pants and black shoes.

Her family said it was in her nature to try and help out her colleague.

“She would do anything in the world to protect her employees or any of us,” said her daughter, reported KTRK.

“When I was starting kindergarten, she started at Cracker Barrel part-time. She would buy me back-to-school clothes,” Tina said. “It was supposed to be a couple of months. Thirty-four years later, a heartache, and here we are.”

Ms Baucom’s sister Gail said: “She is our hero, and we hope she will be remembered as a hero because she lost her life trying to protect her employees and Cracker Barrel,” KPRC reported.

Similarly, Billy Crumpton, Ms Baucom’s brother, said: “The greatest love a person can have is giving their life for another person — and that’s exactly what she did,” Fox 26 Houston reported.

Ms Baucom left behind her husband, three children and three grandchildren