Fresno police release new leads on armed gun store robbers

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Police have released new surveillance video of the suspects in a nearly deadly armed robbery at a Fresno gun store.

The suspects in this case probably never thought Fresno police would have so much surveillance video of their crime. But, now investigators know they used two cars and at least one other person to pull of the heist.

This armed robbery investigation could soon turn into a case of murder. George Sheklian, 85, seen in the surveillance video outside the door being knocked to the ground, now has severe head trauma. He's set to be removed from life support Tuesday morning.

"If you can, just a second of silence for him, please," Sheklian's son Arsen pleaded during a news conference Monday. "And a prayer."

Arsen watched the new video with reporters showing the frightening masks the suspect wore as they rushed into Fresno Firearms last Thursday. The two armed men stole 13 semi-automatic handguns.

Since the store is federally licensed the ATF is investigating as well, potentially making this a federal case. "We will work until we figure out who this is and bring them to justice," said Special Agent Joe Riehl.

Chief Jerry Dyer also released this new video of the suspects' white Cadillac that witnesses saw leaving the gun store. The video also shows a silver Dodge Charger.

"The occupants of the Cadillac, who had done the robbery, we believe they got into the Charger," Dyer said. "And the individual in the charger got into the Cadillac and drove away."

The cars were caught on a business surveillance camera and policing cameras on Sierra Avenue near Freeway 41, blocks from the gun store.

"I'm still in shock," Sheklian said. "There's times where I come out of the shock and I will shed some tears. But I'm also trying to stay really strong for my family."

Arsen Sheklian now assumes the daily coffee run for the gun store owner, an act of kindness his father was doing when he was attacked last week.

George Sheklian is a well-known shoemaker, running his store next to the gun shop for decades.

He recently landed a deal to make shoes for a company in New York that spotted his work during Fashion Week.

"It's all in God's hands," Sheklian said. "Whatever is gonna happen, I'm OK with it because God is great. He knows everything. He knows the bigger picture."

Sheklian moved back to Fresno from Europe two years ago to help run the shoe shop when his father suffered a stroke.

Chief Dyer and the ATF are promising full resources on this case since they say these robbers are extremely dangerous.