A robber died Monday in Centerfield when a gun was fired during a struggle.

Antonio E. Ramos, 42, was dead on the floor when police arrived about 12:20 a.m. at Walker's convenience store.

"It was a pretty classic case of self-defense," said Sanpete County sheriff's Sgt. Greg Peterson.

Police said Ramos approached a clerk as she was taking out the garbage at closing time. He held a .22-caliber rifle and forced her back inside the store, where he took a second clerk hostage and demanded money.

The man forced the two clerks to tie each other up, police said. But during the robbery, one of the two clerks got a hold of the rifle, and the group began fighting for the weapon, police said.

During the struggle, the gun discharged, striking Ramos in the head.