A Houston, Texas, jewelry store owner was shot and killed
during an attempted robbery on July 5.

According to a press release from the Houston Police
Department, two suspects entered Java
Gold Jewelry around 8:15 p.m. on July 5. During the attempted robbery, the
store owner Mehmood Ghaznavi and one of the suspects fired shots. Both suspects fled the scene on foot.

Ghaznavi suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the chest.
Another male, not said to be involved in the robbery, also suffered a gunshot
wound and was transported to a local hospital, where doctors expect him to
survive his injuries.

Houston Police Department public information officer Kese
Smith tells JCK investigators are
following leads and are asking for the public’s assistance. Anyone with information should call
713-222-TIPS.

The Jewelers’ Security Alliance
recommends that jewelers do not keep guns in the store. “While there are cases
of jewelers successfully pulling a gun and shooting the robber, these are the
exceptions,” says the JSA’s Manual of Jewelry Security.

“Do not attempt to disarm the robber or
reach for a concealed weapon,” the Manual
adds.

JCK