A teenage employee of the popular food chain Subway was shot dead Wednesday night as he defended his mother from an armed robber.

The victim, identified as Javier Flores, was a student at Cesar Chavez High School and worked at the Subway restaurant with his mother.

“He was a good, really good friend,” said Helizander Rodriguez. “He took a bullet for his mom.”

“I call him my hero just for doing that,” said Endy Herrera.

According to the Houston Police Department, it was around 8 p.m. when the 18-year-old was working at the restaurant and was shot in the neck by one of two robbery suspects.

Police said the victim’s mother was also working in the restaurant when the suspects walked in.

“During the robbery, it appears the black males entered the store, pointed a gun at a female employee who ended up being the victim’s mother. (The victim) tried to intervene and when he confronted the guy with the gun, he was shot,” said Detective David Crowder.

“They’re out here working and doing what they’re supposed to be doing and then these two suspects came in and cut that short and certainly there was nothing in there that was worth the life of the 18 year old,” said Detective Crowder.

The suspects are described as two young black males.

Witnesses said one of the suspects was around 18 to 20 years old, 5’6” to 5’8” tall, dark in complexion and wearing a dark blue hoodie with black pants.

The second suspect was described as being 17 years old, wearing a light blue hoodie and dark pants as well.

The suspects fled the scene in a 4-door, gold colored sedan.

Anyone with information that may lead to an arrest or charges should call Houston Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.