Crime

CA Jewelry Store Owner Suspected in Fatal Shooting

CrimeJul 06, 2021

CA Jewelry Store Owner Suspected in Fatal Shooting

Jose Francisco Valiente-Martinez allegedly shot and killed a man inside his Gilroy store on June 24.

Gilroy, Calif.—A California jewelry store owner was arrested for allegedly shooting and killing someone in his store. 
 
On June 24 at 1 p.m., police officers in Gilroy responded to a business on Monterey Street after reports of a shooting, according to a police statement. 
 
When officers arrived at the scene, they found a man with at least one gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene. 
 
Police immediately took into custody Jose Francisco Valiente-Martinez, a 44-year-old Gilroy resident and owner of Littlejohn’s Fine Jewelry. 
 
Based on the preliminary investigation, police said the shooting wasn’t a random act of violence as Valiente-Martinez and the victim knew each other.
 
The investigation is ongoing, and police said more information will be released as it’s available. 
 
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Jason Greathead at 408-846-0373 or the anonymous tip line at 408-846-0330.
Brecken Branstratoris the senior editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments in the colored stone sector.
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