Police: Man tries to rob Warner Robins restaurant, dies after shootout

UPDATE (3:38 P.M.) -- The Warner Robins Police Department have issued a release stating that the shooting at American Philly and Wings on Monday night is being investigated as robbery and a self-defense homicide.

HOUSTON COUNTY, Ga. (WGXA) - A man is dead in Houston County after police say they tried to rob a restaurant Monday night.

In a media release, the Warner Robins Police Department says officers were called to American Philly and Wing on Watson Blvd. just before 9:45 p.m. Monday. Investigators say the business owner and witnesses told officers a man, later identified as 23-year-old Joshua Hickey, of Warner Robins, tried to rob the restaurant. They say Hickey pistol-whipped the victim inside. After that, investigators say the victim produced a gun, and shots were fired. That's when Hickey left the store and was later found by police in the area on Vernon Drive. Hickey was taken to the hospital with gunshot wounds and later died.

The victim of the robbery had minor injuries.

The investigation is ongoing.