HOUSTON – A southwest Houston jewelry store was the target of a robbery around noon on Thursday.
Police said two robbers entered Nazar's Fine Jewelry store in the 5800 block of Westheimer.
(It was) very terrifying, but we felt safer that the officer was there and handling the situation," said customer Stephanie York.
York and her husband were returning a watch when two crooks dressed in black walked in. Police said one suspect started beating a security guard, while the other started smashing glass and swiping jewelry.
"We heard a glass break, then we heard it break more predominantly," said York.
Police said officer M. Hernandez was in uniform and working in the store as an extra job.
"(He) gave verbal commands to the (suspects) to show their hands and ordered all of the employees and customers to get down on the ground to be out of harm's way," said Keese Smith, public information officer with the Houston Police Department.
Hernandez said he saw one suspect point a gun at him.
"(The suspect) raised his hand pointing a pistol at the officer, the officer discharged his duty weapon; that suspect then fled out the front door," said Smith.
York said she heard the shots ring out and then she hit the ground.
"We heard the gunfire then we ducked, then we heard more gunfire so we got behind a more protective counter," said York.
That is when the second suspect ran towards the door, investigators said.
"He crouched down and showed his hands as if he had a weapon," said Smith.
Hernandez opened fire again, hitting the second suspect.
Sky 2 captured images of an injured mans on the ground outside of the store right before he is loaded into an ambulance. He was transported to Ben Taub Hospital.