MURRAY, Utah — One suspect was injured after gunshots were exchanged during a robbery attempt at a Murray jewelry store Tuesday.
The Murray Police Department said two men attempted to rob Sierra-West Jewelers at 6190 S. State Street when shots were fired by the assistant store manager, who fought off the suspects.
In surveillance video, the two suspects are seen entering the store after being let in by the assistant store manager.
"I noticed that the beard on one of [the suspect's] looked a little too groomed, too straight. I was like that’s kinda odd, but I buzzed them in — that was a bad idea,” said assistant store manager Joseph Moore.
Almost immediately after entering the store, Moore saw the man pull out a gun and pushed him backwards. The other suspect was wearing a wig as a disguise, with Moore saying they were speaking a foreign language as the suspects forced him and a coworker to the floor and tried to tie them up.
The suspects are then seen trying to tie up the employees before Moore fights them off and takes out his own gun.
“...they pull out tape, and I’m going to lose control of the situation. I [pulled out my gun] and shot [into the floor]," Moore explained. "[The suspect] freaks out, jumps to the side, I try and stand up. I get pushed over. We kind of pop up over there, and I take one more shot.”
Moore fired his gun at the suspects, striking one, and forcing both to flee the store.
The Sandy Police Department said the injured suspect was transported to an emergency care facility by the other suspect, who did not remain at the location. Sandy Police responded to the care facility and had the injured suspect brought to Intermountain Medical Center in Murray.
Surveillance video below shows suspects attempting to rob Murray store:
The incident shocked neighboring business owners.
“They felt comfortable enough to do this in a broad daylight scenario on State Street, three days before Thanksgiving. It’s kind of insane,” said Zack Kolesky, owner of BBQ Pit Stop.
No police officers were involved in the shooting, and the condition of the suspect hit by gunshots is not known. The second suspect remains on the loose, with no description available.
