Wednesday evening, police spent several hours questioning the passengers of a car on I-75 in West Carrollton. Police determined they had nothing to do with the shooting and they were released.
Investigators said they are looking for a 2009 or 2010 white four-door sedan. They do not know the make or model.
Rick Sowa is known for standing on the corner selling flowers to everyone who passed through the intersection.
Police said the unidentified vehicle pulled up and the driver tried to rob Sowa. When he refused to turn over the money, the driver fired a single shot into his arm.
Sgt. Richard Blommell said, “You got young punks with guns. They don’t care who they shoot.”
Blommell said there was a bullet shell and a bit of blood on the street. He said that is all of the evidence they have to work with right now.
Sowa was treated and released from the hospital. Police expect him to resume selling flowers Thursday.
The incident comes five years after he was the victim of another robbery attempt, just a few blocks away.
If you have any information about this shooting, contact Dayton police at 333-COPS.