8 Shots Fired Into Newton Jewelry Store

NEWTON (CBS) -- Newton police responded to a jewelry store on Watertown Street Thursday afternoon after they received reports that a man fired several shots into the store.

WBZ-TV's Beth Germano reports from Newton

Authorities told WBZ-TV's Beth Germano that a man stood on the landing of the store and fired eight shots through a glass window. There were three workers inside. None of them was hurt.

Police say the store was open, but the door was locked as customers have to be buzzed in. It's unclear if the shooter tried to open the door before firing.

The shots left large holes in the glass and shell casings on the ground. Police say the gunman then turned and ran off through the neighborhood. The suspect is described as a white man, 5 foot 10 inches to six feet tall, and was wearing a hoodie with a jacket over it with writing on the back of the jacket.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Lana Jones reports.

Police went on to say they are not sure whether the man was trying to rob the store, or hurt someone inside.

One of the people inside was owner Mark Cristofori's 23-year-old daughter, Ashley. Her mother told WBZ-TV that all they heard was 'pops'.

"She just hit the floor," said Patty Torchio. "The most I got from her was the bullet grazed her in the leg, and she sounds pretty shaken."

Another employee also hit the floor, while the third was in a back office. "They couldn't get in; he's got beautiful jewelry in there," said Torchio.

Witness John Lagoudakis was just coming around the corner in his car when shots rang out. "I turned and heard boom, boom, boom. I walked over to see if I could see anybody," he said.

Canine units combed the area, going through yards and street to street in search of the gunman.

The shots pierced the neighborhood of small businesses. "I just thought in my head gunshots, but that's very unusual," said Lisa Huang who worked at a nearby store.

Police say a surveillance camera on the side of the building did not catch a clear image of the suspect, but with him armed and on the loose they are concerned for public safety.

"For someone to have shot into a door with people on the other side, it's concerning to us," said Lt. Bruce Apotheker.

WBZ-TV's Beth Germano contributed to this report.