Lakewood police said an armed Pierce County security guard pursuing a robber fired a shot at the man when he stopped and raised a handgun.

Lakewood police Lt. Chris Lawler said employees at a Subway sandwich shop in the 7700 block of Steilacoom Boulevard called 911 to report an armed robbery at about 7:45 p.m. Tuesday.

Before police arrived, the security guard, who was making rounds in the shopping center where the Subway is located, spotted a man with what appeared to be a gun and wearing a bandanna over his face. Lawler said instead of notifying police, the security guard ran after the man and chased him from the shopping center to the nearby Custer Elementary School.

According to Lawler, at some point, the robber turned and appeared to point a weapon at the security guard. The guard then drew his weapon and fired a single shot, Lawler said.

The robber ran away, apparently unhurt. Detectives said they were unable to locate any blood or evidence that the robber was hit.

An investigation into the incident is still under way.