A Northlake liquor store manager scared away an armed robber Jan. 20 by grabbing his own handgun and firing at the intruder, DeKalb County police said.

The robber walked into Northlake Liquor at 3900 Lavista Rd. and pointed a black handgun at the 60-year-old manager between 9:45 p.m. and 10:40 p.m., the police report said.

"This is a holdup," the intruder said.

The manager reached under the counter, grabbed a 9mm Beretta and fired at the suspect. The suspect ran out of the store empty-handed, heading west past the Wendy's to an unknown location.

The suspect was described as a black male about 5 feet 10 inches tall and 150 pounds, wearing black clothing.