Washington, D.C. – The owner of a jewelry store told 7News he was tied up and held at gunpoint during an attempted robbery near Dupont Circle.
The events that followed would lead to a female suspect being shot by Metro Transit Police and a man being taken into custody.
Tan Hoang, the owner of Ideal Cut Jewelers on Connecticut Avenue, Northwest, said Friday started as any other day, but that changed when a worker buzzed two people into the store.
Surveillance cameras captured the two strolling into the shop. Moments later, he said they pulled a gun.
“I saw the gun pointed in my face,” Hoang said. “Then, they pushed us down and tied us up back at the door.”
The terrifying moments happened around 4 p.m. just off a busy D.C. thoroughfare.
“I just told them, get whatever you want, but don’t shoot us,” said Hoang. “We’re just regular people.”
Getting out of that terrifying situation to getting the attention of the police took some bold action by the store owner.
“Both of them tried to get the jewelry in the showcase, so I locked the door and pushed the panic button,” he said. “We have an emergency door out the back. We ran out, and then the police came.”
That’s when Metro Transit Police said one of their officers fired a shot and hit the female suspect in the leg.
Police would spend hours hauling away the last bit of evidence. A motorbike was also taken away from the scene on a tow truck.
Friday night, Hoang worked to clean up his shop and move on.
“It’s a repair shop,” said Hoang. “We’re not a big store. We don’t have very much jewelry in the store, but things like this happen.”
“I have to start again, but what can I do?” he asked.
To view the article on MSN.com and video provided by ABC 7 News, click HERE.