The cut on his head and the dent in the store window frame are testimony to the wild ending of an otherwise routine workday for Sameer Sangam.

Shortly after 11 p.m. Wednesday, Sangam, known simply as “Sammy” to friends and regular customers, was closing his Speedway Shell station at 1733 Mass. when he was confronted by a man with a gun.

As he was walking toward his car parked at the south end of the store, a gunman stepped out from behind the ice machine and demanded money.

Sangam responded by hitting the would-be-robber with a bag of rock salt he was taking home to spread on his driveway.

“We kind of scuffled, and he hit me on the head with the gun. Then he ran away,” Sangam said. “I was not going to give him any money.”

Sangam headed back inside the store to call police. That’s when the gunman turned and fired one shot, missing Sangam by inches and hitting the black metal frame around the front window. The gunman then continued running south.

“I called 911 and the cops came. That’s when I realized I was bleeding,” Sangam said, referring to the cut on his head.

Sangam was treated at the store by medics from Lawrence-Douglas Fire & Medical.

Lawrence police said they received Sangam’s call at 11:17 p.m. Based on Sangam’s description, the gunman was a black man between 20 and 30 years old and about 5 feet 7 inches tall. He weighed about 160 pounds and was wearing a long, black jacket, baggy jeans and dark gloves.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call 843-TIPS. Callers remain anonymous.

Sangam’s store was targeted in another robbery attempt in October. A man armed with a knife unsuccessfully tried to take money that time as well. A suspect has since been arrested and charged in that incident.

In November 2006, a man stole a truck that was being filled with gasoline at Speedway after pulling the driver out from behind the wheel. The suspect then led law enforcement officers on a 130-mile chase before he was caught in Henry County, Mo.

Sangam said he isn’t unnerved by the incidents.

“I’m not scared,” he said. “More like annoyed.”