A shopkeeper fought off a masked raider who fired a crossbow only yards from where his children were sitting.
Mohammed Razaq had just put a DVD on for his five children, aged from two to 12, in the room at the back of the store, when he saw the robber enter his shop on a security camera.
He said the man, who was clutching a crossbow, tried to get money from the till, but hit the wrong button.
He demanded that Mr Razaq get the money for him, before he fired the crossbow, which was not thought to have been loaded.
The 37-year-old said: "I was in shock and I said to him what are you trying to do?'.
"He pointed the crossbow at me and said I am going to shoot you - get the money out of the till and put it in the bag'.
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"I stayed back in an area where there is a staircase. He just shot the bow, possibly at me. I just heard a big bang."
Mr Razaq, who has owned the Kinza store, in Station Road, Norton, near Stockton, for 18 years, feared for the lives of his family.
His sister and five children were in the room behind the shop, and his wife and parents were in an adjoining room.
He said: "He tried to load up the crossbow and I could see a big window pole in front of me, so I grabbed the stick and chased him.
"I felt he was threatening me and my family and kids, so I just had to do it.
"As soon as he saw me with the stick, he ran like mad. I tried to hit him, but I think I missed."
On the security footage, which can be seen on The Northern Echo's website, Mr Razaq was seen chasing after the raider, with his family following close behind.
He said he followed the robber for a short distance, but realised he had no back-up, so went to call police.
Detectives are appealing for anyone with information about the robber to get in touch.
Detective Carl Scott said: "I do not think there will be too many people out there with a crossbow, so if anyone has information, we would like them to come forward."
He said officers searched the premises and failed to find a bolt, which suggested the robber had not loaded it.
The robber was thought to be aged between 20 and 30, and was dressed in black, with a black hat and scarf over his face.
Anyone with information is asked to call 01642-302206.
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