Police release video of jewelry store shooting

NORTH MIAMI, Fla. (WSVN) -- Police have released dramatic surveillance video of a shooting at a local jewelry store.

The footage released by North Miami Police shows how indiscriminate the would-be robbers were in the firing of their weapons during a heist inside the Flea Market near Northwest 139th Street and Seventh Avenue, on Christmas Eve. The store's owner was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries after taking a bullet in his back.

The video shows Bright Star Jewelry's McNeil Wilson, 58, firing off a round at the robbers, after they began shooting. At least four different men in hoodies and bandannas barged into the shop with guns drawn. One smashed a display case.

When workers behind the counter turned and ran, the crooks started firing. The crooks would turn and run after Wilson shot back. Police said the gunmen made off with some of the store's inventory after smashing at least one display case.

Wilson's family has called his survival nothing short of a miracle. Angela Wilson, the victim's wife of 26 years, spoke Tuesday and said she was just happy he survived. "I would call this a big miracle," she said, "a big miracle. God has given me my best Christmas gift I could ever get."

Wilson, a father of 10 and 16 grandchildren, has run the store for over 20 years. First responders took him to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where his condition stabilized overnight but remained serious on Wednesday afternoon. The victim's wife is just happy her prayers were answered. "'Keep him alive'," she recalls praying over and over. "What would I do without him? Our home would break up because there would be no breadwinner," Angela said.

One of his daughters noted her father never attracted trouble. "Everybody was shocked to know that he got shot," said Candace Wilson. "McNeil is not the type of person that's in trouble or a bother, so it was really a shock to the whole family."

The family has said they hope to have their father finally home by Wednesday evening.

Meanwhile, police continue looking for the subjects who were seen getting into a gray Chevy and fled northbound on Seventh Avenue. Police are calling these crooks extremely dangerous, as they did not hesitate to fire during the robbery.

If you have any information on this attempted armed robbery and shooting, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.

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