MIAMI (WSVN) - Police continue to search for two armed suspects, who fatally shot a man inside a Miami pawn shop, Thursday.
Police said two men stormed into Value Joyeria y Prestamos, located at 717 S.W. 17th Ave., and shot a patron during a robbery of the store.
The patron, a man in his 60s, was shopping for a television at the time with his friend. The victim died on the scene.
The medical examiner arrived on the scene Thursday night as detectives continued to track down the shooter.
City of Miami Police worked well into the night.
“We had heard a gunshot, and we ran over,” said Gamal Baez, a nearby store owner. “People know they have money. Unfortunately, they’re at a disadvantage to these crooks and these thieves.”
Police officers rushed to the pawn shop after an alarm went off, at 1:30 p.m. They said the store was filled with customers and employees at the time of the shooting.
One man, officials said, smashed casings and grabbed jewelry while the other subject took aim at a man in his 60s before opening fire. “The victim that died on the scene received one gunshot wound,” said City of Miami Police Officer Kenia Fallat.
The subjects then fled the scene in what may have been a red SUV driven by a third subject. “A red SUV was seen fleeing from the area in the northbound area, on 17th Avenue, just minutes after the robbery took place,” Fallat said.
“I stopped there when I heard all the commotion from the police,” said witness Luz Rodriguez. “Then, I stopped and looked that way, and they were running in there.”
Miami Police went through security cameras near the building in hopes of finding a new clue. “There is surveillance video that may have captured the images from beginning to end, so that’s something detectives are looking at,” Fallat said.
If you have any information on this shooting and robbery, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $3,000 reward.
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