Crime

Two Killed in Separate Weekend Robberies

CrimeJan 24, 2017

Two Killed in Separate Weekend Robberies

Police in two cities are investigating jewelry store-related shootings that left an employee and a bystander who tried to intervene dead.

20170124_Jared-robbery-suspect.jpg
This security camera still provided by the Henderson Police Department shows the suspect wanted in Saturday night’s robbery, which resulted in the shooting death of a store employee, entering the Jared the Galleria of Jewelry store around 9 p.m.

New York--Police in two separate cities are investigating jewelry store-related shootings that left an employee and a bystander who tried to intervene dead.
The first incident happened just before closing time on Saturday at a Jared the Galleria of Jewelry store in Henderson, Nevada.

The suspect entered the store, pulled out a gun and pointed it at one of the employees.

The on-site security guard, who has not been publicly identified, fired a round at the suspect but missed, accidentally hitting and killing the 57-year-old employee instead, said Officer Scott Williams, a public information officer with the Henderson Police Department.

Jared’s parent company, Signet Jewelers Ltd., identified the employee as Kim Hill and issued the following statement on Monday: “We extend our deepest sympathies to her family, friends and colleagues. Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and team members and their ability to shop and work in a safe environment.”

"We are taking all necessary steps in cooperating with the local police department and working with our security provider ... We will continue to cooperate with law enforcement in connection with their ongoing efforts to apprehend the suspect.”

Williams said the suspect fled the scene and police were still working to determine what, if anything, he stole from the store.

The suspect, who wore a mask during the robbery, is described as a black male, between 5 feet 6 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 140 pounds. He was wearing a red and black hoodie, black pants and a dark-colored hat or beanie.

Williams said he will face murder charges if apprehended. The security guard is not being charged at this point, though Williams noted that the investigation into the incident is ongoing.

The second incident happened at a store that’s also under the Signet umbrella, this one the Kay Jewelers located in the Rolling Oaks Mall just outside San Antonio, Texas.

In an interview broadcast via Facebook Live on Sunday following the incident, San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said two individuals robbed the Kay Jewelers store and fled, running to the left to exit the mall.

Two citizens tried to intervene to stop the suspects and there was an exchange of gunfire.

One of the citizens--identified in news reports as 42-year-old Jon Murphy, who reportedly was at the mall with his wife getting their wedding rings cleaned--was shot and killed.

The other citizen, who has a concealed carry permit,

shot and wounded the suspect who killed Murphy. That suspect--identified Tuesday morning by police as 34-year-old Jose Luis Rojas--remains in the hospital in critical condition, San Antonio Police Senior Public Information Officer Sandra Pickell said. The name of the citizen who fired the shot has not been released.

The second suspect, identified as 34-year-old Jason Matthew Prieto, managed to flee, firing shots as he ran through the mall, hitting and wounding two other people, according to police.

He was arrested in nearby Converse, Texas, and charged with capital murder and two counts of aggravated robbery. The second suspect will be booked by proxy.

“What we have here,” McManus said at his press conference, “is a robbery gone really, really bad.”

In a separate statement, Signet said it is “shocked and saddened” by what happened at the mall and extends its deepest sympathies to everyone affected. The company said it is cooperating with local law enforcement in the investigation.

Editor’s note: This story was updated post-publication to include additional information obtained from the San Antonio Police Department.
Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

The Latest

Bergman Jewelers family
IndependentsApr 01, 2025
Bergman Jewelers in Omaha Closing After 137 Years

The independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.

QVC Group Inc. logo
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.

The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.

Coconut Grove Jewelry & Watch Show
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
U.S. Antique Shows Adds Fall Show in Florida

The debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.

bench jeweler 1872x1052.png
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They Deserve

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

The Jewelry Symposium (TJS)
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor Shortage

The roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.

Weekly QuizMar 27, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann Collection Bracelets
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry Collection

The “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.

Graphic for What Do We Mean When We Say “Recycled” Gold webinar
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?

Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.

Facets-of-Fire-Difference-You-Can-See.jpg
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean More

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

Mindi Mond Clarity Earrings
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in Diamonds

Diamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.

Lashbrook ring
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With Acquisition

The Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.

Bulgari and LVMH Watches CEO Jean-Christophe Babin
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH Watches

The longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.

Nephrite and Jadeite by Heinrich Fischer, Richard W. Hughes
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in English

Lotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.

LÖF The Valentine Ring
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ Ring

The ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.

Eggs on a shelf
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ Outlook

The Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.

Richard Rainsford memorial ring
AuctionsMar 27, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction

However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.

Austin Butler
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand Ambassador

The Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.

ICA Congress Brazil 2025
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress

The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.

Bailey’s Fine Jewelry storefront
IndependentsMar 26, 2025
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Acquires Fellow NC Independent Jeweler

The family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Bulova 150 Art Deco Miss America Watch, 150 Art Deco Pocket Watch
WatchesMar 26, 2025
Bulova Celebrates 150th Anniversary With Art Deco Watches

The “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.

Alex Wellen
MajorsMar 26, 2025
QVC Group Appoints New President

Alex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.

Jewelers of America’s new logo
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2025
Jewelers of America Announces New Funding Initiative

The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.

Christies regent kashmir sapphire and regal Burmese ruby
AuctionsMar 25, 2025
Christie’s To Auction 35-Carat Sapphire, 13-Carat Ruby

The ruby and the sapphire, which Christie’s calls a “once-in-a-generation masterpiece,” are part of the upcoming Hong Kong jewelry auction.

Emmanuel Raheb CEO of Smart Age Solutions
ColumnistsMar 25, 2025
The Smart Lab: Using Short-Form Videos to Sell More Jewelry

The time to start experimenting with video content is now, writes columnist Emmanuel Raheb.

Pomellato Nudo High Jewelry Campaign
CollectionsMar 24, 2025
Pomellato’s Latest ‘Nudo’ Collections Revamp its Classic Design

From striking high jewelry to miniature fine jewelry, the new chapter continues to highlight gemstones featuring its signature 57-facet cut.

Jamie Singleton, Bill Brace, Rebecca Wooters, Bill Luth
MajorsMar 24, 2025
4 Top Executives to Depart Signet Jewelers Amid Turnaround

The jewelry giant is reducing its senior leadership by 30 percent as part of its new turnaround strategy.

Sothebys Watchcheck
WatchesMar 24, 2025
Sotheby's Now Offers Watch Repair Services

The auction house's partnership with online watch servicing platform WatchCheck makes repairs convenient and accessible, it said.

Swarovski lab-grown diamond Galaxy earrings
FinancialsMar 21, 2025
Swarovski Says Its Lab-Grown Diamond Sales Doubled in 2024

The company also noted record sales in the United States and a strong performance in its jewelry category.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy