By Elizabeth Hur

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Attacked on the job – A newly hired store clerk was almost killed in a robbery.

The victim is just 17 years old and he started his new job just last week.

It happened in Philadelphia’s Oxford Circle neighborhood around 6:30 Wednesday evening.

With the armed suspects still out there, the victim’s mother asked that we don’t use her name.

“It was a nerve wracking scene. I knew my son was in the store. That’s my baby, my only son.”

Her son was working the cash register when two men wearing masks stormed in, one of them armed with a gun, and demanded money.

“He stepped back and let them take what they wanted to take and he said that I don’t know exactly what happened, but he said he dodged back and he heard when the bullet went past him and it sounded like a whistle.”

We’re told, it’s unclear at this time if the suspect fired the weapon or if it went off accidentally. Either way, it was a close call for the teenager. His father, who was too upset to talk to us on camera, said off camera, he tried to stop the thieves to no avail.

Neighbor, Rosemary Kural said, “It’s really a shame. It really is. This neighborhood was never like this.”

Long time residents are left shaking their heads, frustrated to see what’s become of their neighborhood but grateful no one was hurt.

“We’re so lucky that somebody wasn’t killed. Don’t know if that was his first day on the job, but I bet it’ll be his last.” Kural said.

The victim’s mother added, “I just keep thanking God that it wasn’t more serious. It could have been worse.”

As of late Wednesday night, police said both suspects remain on the loose. Detectives will be reviewing the store’s surveillance video as they continue their investigation.