Jewelry store owner killed in apparent robbery

By AL PEFLEY

The victim was known around here as "John the Jeweler."

The hold-up took place shortly before 8:30 Monday morning at West Palm Coin and Jewelry Exchange, with an awning that says, "We Buy Gold."

It's a senseless tragedy that has some asking when it will stop.

Authorities say the owner, 44 year old John Lauseng had just arrived and approached to the door to go inside when he was confronted by two thugs with guns who forced him into the business.

Once inside, they robbed him at gunpoint and then shot him, possibly as he was trying to get away from them.

"I feel hurt right now, I really don't know what to do. I hope you guys, I hope the media find his (bleep), whoever did this, before I get him," said his friend, Exzuzious McDaniel.

After the shooting, Lauseng ran to a convenience store across the street, apparently trying to get help, and fell to the ground.

Investigators say the robbers did get some jewelry. But they weren't in the store long enough to get the really expensive stuff, which would've been locked up.

They got some cheaper costume jewelry.

"Stop the violence man. A good person got killed. A good person. He got a 5 year old daughter man. What he gonna do now? What she gonna do without her father? That's what everybody need to think about. That man worked hard for his money and everything. For people to come out and try to rob him," McDaniel said. 

Authorities have released a photo of a van that the crooks used as their getaway vehicle.

The two robbers jumped into the van with a third person who was driving a dark green 15-passenger Ford Econoline-type van..