Authorities: Apparent Robbery Attempt Turns Into Murder-Suicide at Bridgewater Jewelry Store

An apparent robbery attempt of a Bridgewater jewelry store turned into a murder-suicide late Monday afternoon, according to the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office.

According to Jack Bennett, a spokesman for Prosecutor Geoffrey Soriano, a man entered  in the Towne Shopping Center on Route 202 at about 4:45 p.m. In an apparent attempt to rob the store, the man shot and killed the owner before turning the gun on himself, Bennett said.

There was no one else injured and authorities believe the gunman acted alone, Bennett said.

"We're not looking for anyone else," Bennett said.

The identities of the owner and the gunman were not immediately released.

Local employees and customers were shaken by the incident Monday evening.

"It's not that type of area," said Lori Rosen, a Somerville resident. "I don't shop in unsafe areas. It was shocking when I heard it on the news. I got goosebumps."

Employees at were not sure what happened, but one employee saw the commotion when he arrived at work shortly before 5 p.m.

"I came in at ten-to-five and I just saw them putting the tape out and then they extended it 10 to 15 minutes later," Danny Miranda said. "I just saw a cop car and the K-9 dogs and saw someone leaving on a stretcher and that's it."

Bridgewater resident Thionil Jenkins, who went shopping at , said she saw a "mess of cops" when she arrived. She said she also saw an ambulance pulling out of the parking lot.

"It's just very scary," she said. "The front window [of the jewelry store] was covered with yellow plastic, or a sheet, and helicopters are all over the place."

Multiple Bridgewater Police units and the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit remained on the scene for several hours.

According to Bennett, the investigation is ongoing with more details expected to be released Tuesday.

Patch will continue to update this story.