Robbers in "Scream" Masks Met by Armed Worker

Two men wearing “Scream” masks, wielding guns and crowbars, tried to rob a jewelry store in Chattanooga. They failed, however, when a store worker emerged with a gun of his own. Here’s the story:

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CHATTANOOGA, TN (WRCB) –

An investigation is underway after an attempted robbery at a local jewelry store.

It happened around 5:30 p.m. Monday at the Kennedy Jewelry store at 2012 East Main Street.

Police said the suspects attempted to rob the business at gunpoint but were met by a worker with a gun himself.

The Kennedy family said they’re still shaken up from Monday’s gun fight and attempted robbery.

In the 37 years they’ve been open on East Main Street, the owner says this is the first of its kind.

One of the Kennedy family members was there as it all happened and said he felt the need to fight back and defend his family’s store.

He said at 5:22 Monday afternoon, just eight minutes before closing time, two men walked through the front door and fired what he said was an assault rifle. He said the man with the gun was wearing a “Scream” mask. The other, he said, was carrying a laundry basket and a crow-bar type weapon wrapped in a pillow case.

Wrapping up the day’s business in the back room, Kennedy said he grabbed his 9 mm gun and shot back at the would-be robbers, hitting at least six holes through his store’s windows. Kennedy said at one point in the gun fight, he was hit by pieces of flying metal from the window bars. Police said he was treated for a minor stomach injury and released.

The two suspects fled the scene but police said they found a possible suspect hiding in a yard a block away on Mulberry Avenue. They also found the rifle believed to be used in the attempted robbery.

Meanwhile, it was back to business for the Kennedy family Tuesday. The family reopened their doors at 9 a.m. But workers spent the first couple hours cleaning broken glass.

Kennedy told Channel-3 he’s thankful his family is safe and hopes nothing like this ever happens again.

Chattanooga police would not share surveillance pictures Tuesday, but if you have any information on Monday’s attempted robbery, call police or Crime Stoppers.

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