Lake Park Store Owner Involved In Shootout Speaks

LAKE PARK, Fla. - WPBF.com

A Lake Park jewelry store owner who got into a shootout with four people who tried to rob his business Monday told WPBF 25 News he's "still John Wayne" and would fire his gun again to defend himself.

Art Lewis, 84, is a retired engineer who has owned the Jewelry Exchange for the past 15 years. Lewis said he's had some close calls before, but Monday was the first time he's ever had to use his gun.

"When I saw the flash of his gun, I drew my gun," Lewis told WPBF 25 News' Meredith McDonough. "I had it in my pocket and I fired five times, and as I was firing everybody exited real quick."

Lewis said he was working in his store when a woman came to the door. He said he buzzed her in when three men followed behind her.

"They just didn't look like real customers," Lewis said. "I was a little apprehensive immediately."

Lewis said the woman was asking about rings, but he didn't have any to show, and that's when the shootout began.

"I was just waiting a couple seconds, and then before I knew it one of the men ran behind my counter and fired his weapon," Lewis said. "He fired two shots at me."

One of those shots struck the magnifying lamp. Lewis then fired back, he recalled, at least five times.

Lewis said one of the bullets hit the store window. As for the other four, Lewis said he thinks he got them.

It was the third time Lewis' store has been targeted. A few years ago, Lewis said, he was tied up and everything was stolen.

Now, Lewis said he's not taking any chances.

"Fortunately, you know, I think I saved my life by firing my gun," Lewis said. "I don't know. I don't want to hurt anybody. I just hope it's a deterrent for the rest of the crowd out there. If you come in my store, I'm going to shoot you."

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