Man shoots at assailant at Lantana gas station, striking him in left forearm and chest

LANTANA, Fla. - A man and his girlfriend were threatened by another man early Saturday morning at a Lantana gas station, forcing the male victim to shoot at the assailant, striking him in the left forearm and chest, according to a media release from the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.

The shooting happened around 1:15 a.m. at the BP gas station at 3300 Lantana Road, according to Teri Barbera, spokeswoman for the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.

Witnesses said the suspect was extremely intoxicated, disorderly, threatening and aggressive as he went after a man who was with his girlfriend at the gas station, Barbera said.

She said the assailant reached into the man's car and proceeded to punch him in the face with a closed fist. The victim responded by firing a single shot.

The names of the suspect and victims have not been released.

The incident is under investigation and charges are pending, Barbera said.