HOUSTON -- A store owner was shot in north Houston Thursday in front of his 11-year-old son, KPRC Local 2 reported.

Police said two robbers entered the Happy Food Store, located at 8935 Veterans Memorial, shortly before 11 a.m. and shot Thi Nguyen, 50, while forcing his wife to open the safe.

After the boy witnessed the shooting, he ran from the store crying. He was not injured.

"I grabbed him and came over here," a witness said.

The victim's family members are shocked at their loss.

"We're trying to hold up the best we can. This is very tough," said Phillip Nguyen, the victim's brother-in-law. "It was very tough for a small kid to see his father (shot). We really need the public's help."

The robbers escaped and dumped their getaway vehicle, a stolen Acura, a few miles away, according to investigators.

Police searched the area.

"We have bloodhounds and other K9 assets tracking the suspects away from that vehicle right now," said Sgt. David Crain with the Houston Police Department.

Police said the robbers were professionals and scattered their clothing, wigs and weapons along a bayou to throw dogs off their trail.

Nguyen moved to America from Vietnam to provide for his family.