Suspect attacks store clerk with hammer at Va. outlet mall

A retail employee was struck in the neck by a suspect wielding a hammer, according to Leesburg police.

The attack happened around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Polo Ralph Lauren Store located at the Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets.

An 18-year-old store clerk was escorting the suspect to a fitting room in the back of the store, but as the employee was unlocking the dressing room door, he was hit by a hammer and fell to the ground.

"The suspect struck the young man in the neck with the claw side of the hammer, so it actually entered his neck and fortunately it missed any of his vital organs or his carotid artery," said Lt. Jeff Dube with the Leesburg Police Department.

The victim was listed in stable condition at the hospital on Wednesday.

After hitting the clerk in the neck with the hammer, the suspect ran out of the store without stealing anything. Police recovered a hammer inside the store.

"We have assault and batteries all the time, but involving a hammer, this is a very unusual case for us," said Lt. Dube.

Police do not have a motive. The victim said he has never seen the suspect and did not know why anyone would do this to him.

The suspect is described as a young white man in his early 20s, 5' 9" to 5' 11" and 155 to 165 pounds. He was wearing tan shorts, dark socks, brown shoes, a green and orange plaid shirt and a green and white hat with a white emblem on the front of it and sunglasses.

Leesburg police ask anyone with information about the attack to contact them.