A gunfight erupted in St. Paul Monday night when two men tried to rob another and he fought back, pulling out his own pistol and eventually shooting one would-be robber in the foot.

The two men, armed with handguns, attempted to rob the other near Como and Pennsylvania avenues about 5:30 p.m., according to St. Paul Commander Steve Frazer. The victim, who has a permit to carry, exchanged fire with his would-be robbers before they fled in a car. The man who refused to be a victim jumped in his own car and gave chase. The three men then exchanged another round of gunfire in the 900 block of Thomas Avenue, Frazer said.

One of the assailants was shot in the foot and was being treated at Regions Hospital. The other would-be robber escaped and is being sought by police. The man who stood his ground was not injured and is cooperating with police.

Mary Lynn Smith