FISHERS, Ind. -- A restaurant employee fired as many as nine shots at a man who robbed the business early Monday morning, according to police.

The incident took place shortly after 5 a.m. at the Sunrise Café in the 9700 block of East 116th Street.

The employee told police that he had just arrived for work and was walking toward the front of the restaurant when he was hit in the back of the head and knocked to the ground.

The employee said that the man showed a handgun and demanded cash from inside the business. Both men went inside and the robber was given an undetermined amount of money.

The employee told police that the robber forced him to run behind the restaurant as the robber ran in the other direction after the robbery.

According to police, the employee then pulled a .45-caliber handgun and fired several shots at the robber, but didn't strike him or anything else.

Witnesses told police they heard gunshots and saw a man running. Investigators found eight shell casings at the scene.

The employee returned to work and is not facing charges.

The robber is described as black, wearing black clothing, a black ski mask and black gloves. He is about 6 feet tall and weighs 190 pounds.

Investigators asked anyone with information to call Fishers police at 317-773-1282.