Madeira store owner returns to work after surviving shooting

MADEIRA, Ohio - Roop Gupta returned to work at his Madeira Market on Kenwood Road after being shot on Sept. 5.  Police say a repeat offender, William Hart, tried to rob Gupta and two other businesses since his release from prison earlier this year.

"I did not see him," said Gupta. "Hew was wearing the mask and holding the gun in his left hand."

When Gupta's wife, Rehka, came from the back of the store when she heard her husband shouting at the intruder. Gupta recalls that the man turned to hit Rehka. That is when Gupta grabbed some bottles of wine to strike the man.

"When I get the bottle and stand over here like this, he started shooting me," said Gupta. "I don't understand what happened."

What happened was that Gupta was shot in the abdomen.  The bullet entered him on the left and exited on the right.  He remembers hearing four shots altogether.

There are two scars from the bullet entering and leaving Gupta's torso, and one directly down the middle from where surgery was performed.

Since the shooting, a new surveillance camera system was installed.  The system now makes it possible to see every direction in the convenience store.

Even though Gupta has returned to work, his healing is still a progression.

"I still have pain," said Gupta. "I think it will take one more week of going to the doctor.

Hart is charged with three counts of having weapons while under disability (that means as a convicted felon he should not have a gun), three counts of aggravated robbery, and two counts of felonious assault. Hart is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 5.  Hart is at the Hamilton County Justice Center for a $120,000 full bond.