Indy man shot liquor store clerk in leg for trying to stop him from stealing tequila

INDIANAPOLIS — An Indianapolis man pleaded guilty to walking into a liquor store, stealing a bottle of tequila and shooting a clerk in the leg who attempted to stop him.

George Sisk, 47, was sentenced to 13 years in federal prison.

“Sisk felt it was necessary to shoot an innocent victim standing in the way of just one bottle of alcohol,” said John E. Childress, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “This kind of reckless behavior with no regard for the safety of human life is a threat to our entire community and deserves the serious federal prison sentence imposed today.”

According to court documents, Sisk walked into Community Spirits Liquor Store on MLK Street on March 26, 2020 and grabbed a bottle of alcohol. When he tried to walk out of the store without paying, a store employee locked the door so Sisk couldn’t leave.

Sisk ended up pulling out a gun and shooting the employee at close range in the leg after demanding the door be unlocked. After being shot, the employee opened the door and Sisk walked out with a bottle of tequila. Sisk also fired a second shot while leaving.

Police arrested Sisk later that same evening. Officers found the gun used in the robbery and the same clothes Sisk was seen wearing in the security footage. Court records reveal that Sisk has previously been convicted for multiple felonies including dealing drugs. He is prohibited from owning a firearm.

“The defendant’s actions created fear and endangerment in a place where people should feel safe. His actions demonstrated a complete disregard for the law and the community,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton

As part of his sentence, Sisk will serve five years of supervised release after his prison stint is over.