Local

1 killed during Villa Rica jewelery store robbery; men sought

VILLA RICA, Ga. — A jewelry store owner was shot and killed during a smash-and-grab robbery at a Villa Rica jewelry store Wednesday afternoon.

According to the Carroll County Sheriff's Department, four men entered Mobley Jewelers with hammers.

Deputies told Channel 2 Action News there were two employees in the store at the time, and one was shot and killed. The employee has been identified as store owner Mitch Mobley.

"We're still looking to see what went wrong with the robbery and what caused the shooting," Capt. Keith Shaddix of the Villa Rica Police Department said.

Deputies have one man in custody, but are still searching for others.

Investigators were reviewing surveillance video from outside the store, but had not been able late Wednesday to view footage from inside the store. Details regarding what led to the gunfire were not available.

The hammer used inside the store was left behind, Shaddix said. But the other suspects were able to evade police.

The crime has left residents in the area stunned.

“It's a shame. This my community, this is where I live. For something like this to happen … I can't talk about it,” said Villa Rica resident Brandon Heaton.

The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office was assisting with the investigation. Investigators said they are still looking for four other suspects.

The community is search for some peace of mind as well.

“Small town like this, we pull together and we all care about everybody out here. (It’s) one huge family,” Heaton said.