BANDIT SHOOTS EMPLOYEE IN STORE HOLDUP.

Byline: Lisa Van Proyen Staff Writer

NORTH HOLLYWOOD - As detectives searched for robbers who shot an employee at a Western clothing store in North Hollywood, the 27-year-old victim remained in critical condition Friday, officials said.

Two gunmen, one carrying a rifle and the other a handgun, stormed into Machottes Western clothing store in the 7200 block of Whitsett Avenue about 7:30 p.m. Thursday, said Detective Kevin Harley of the Los Angeles Police Department's North Hollywood Division.

Pointing the guns at two store employees, the robbers demanded cash, said LAPD Detective Jim Gerardi.

The employees complied.

Still, the gunmen forced the two workers into a back room, locked them in, then fired a round through the door, hitting one of the employees in the chest, Gerardi said.

The robbers fled with $1,000 in cash, some jeans and blankets, detectives said.

Detectives called this holdup more vicious than most they investigate.

``Every robber is different. Some people do it for the cash and there's others who are just plain brutal. Who knows what these guys were up to?'' Gerardi said.

Minutes after the robbers fled, the uninjured employee broke free and called police.

The victim was transported to a hospital, where he was listed in critical condition Friday afternoon with a bullet lodged against his spine, hospital officials said.

Gerardi said the victim is expected to live.

The suspects are both described as male Latinos between 23 and 30 years of age with shaved heads and mustaches. One is described as 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing about 200 pounds. The other is about 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs about 165 pounds.

Anyone with information is asked to contact North Hollywood Division robbery detectives at [phone], or [phone] after business hours.