1 person shot during robbery at jewelry store

By Tiffany Gibson

Published Friday, April 2, 2010 | 2:13 p.m.

Updated Monday, April 5, 2010 | 2:03 p.m.

Metro Police are investigating a robbery and shooting that injured a man at a jewelry store near Sahara Avenue.

Police responded at 1:06 p.m. to the incident at The Jewelers, 2400 Western Ave., which is just east of the Sahara and Interstate 15 interchange.

Sgt. Paul Gambini said two people entered the store in an apparent attempt to rob the business. The employee was compliant with the demands, but the suspects began shooting and a bullet struck a man.

The victim's injuries weren't considered life-threatening, police said.

The suspects left in a vehicle after the shooting. Gambini said several people were inside the store when the shooing happened.

Police on Friday night released photos of the suspects. Both are 30 to 35 years old and about 6 feet tall. One was wearing a black Washington Nationals ball cap, dark sunglasses, a black T-shirt, gray jacket and had a chrome handgun. The other wore a tan fedora hat, dark sunglasses, a long black wig, long tan coat, dark pants and tan shoes. He was armed with a long barrel chrome revolver.

The vehicle was described as a newer model, dark gray, four-door Chevrolet, possibly a Malibu or Impala. The vehicle had Arizona plates on it at the time of the crime.

Rosie Love, 26, said she was taking a nursing exam next door and saw a police officer slowly enter the parking lot with a weapon drawn.

"We were all freaking out," she said. "We were concerned because it was close to our classroom."

Trish Downward, 44, was next door and rushed outside, where she saw a man come out of the store and motion to the officer in the direction where the suspects fled.