Police in Fullerton, Calif., are looking for suspects in connection with an apparent botched robbery at the Fullerton Jewelry Mart on Wednesday evening that began with pepper spray and ended with a nonfatal gunshot.

According to various news reports, a suspect entered the Fullerton Jewelry Mart and tried to bully the shop’s security guard, allegedly attacking him with pepper spray. A scuffle between them ensued outside the store. Police said the security guard fired one shot, but it was not known whether the suspect was hit. 

“I do feel that he [the guard] was in fear of his own safety,” Sgt. Dan Castillo of the Fullerton Police Department said.

Police are seeking the suspect, who reportedly fled the scene in a dark-colored SUV.

This robbery is the second in six months for the store, which is located on South Harbor Boulevard near the freeway, possibly making it an especially attractive target for thieves, police told reporters.

JCK