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Stockton Jeweler Shot And Killed, Merchandise Stolen At Flea Market

STOCKTON (CBS13) – A Stockton family is grieving after witnessing their loved one being shot and killed by two masked suspects at the Stockton Flea Market who then fled with the families vehicle filled with jewelry.

Police say 74-year-old Ignacio Cervantes was killed as he and his family were unloading jewelry from their vehicle around 8:00 Saturday morning at the Stockton Flea Market in the 2500 block of S. El Dorado Street.

When CBS13's Derek Shore spoke with Ignacio's 9-year-old grandson Adrian, the boy's shirt still had his grandfather's blood on it.

"I saw my grandpa getting shot," said Adrian. "When they grabbed him, they shot him in the armpit...I saw him bleeding on the floor."

Ignacio's son says the two masked men jumped out of a green van and demanded jewelry.

"My dad was in the front of the vehicle on the passenger side, and he used to carry a gun, and I think these guys saw he was reaching for a gun," said Salvador Cervantes. "Basically I was trying to keep him alive until the ambulance came, but when they came it was, it was too late."

Early Saturday evening around 5:00 pm, police located Cervantes' stolen Navigator. However, the suspects are still on the run.

"I feel very sad and I feel like it's my fault for taking my dad around with me," said Salvador.

The suspects are being vaguely described as men of unknown race wearing a mask or bandana over their faces.

"All we know so far is he is a very hard working older gentleman who is trying to make a living by coming out here to the flea market selling his jewelry," said Stockton Police Officer Joe Silva.

Anyone with information about the crime or suspects is asked to call the Stockton Homicide Investigation Unit at (209) 937-8323 or contact Crime Stoppers at (209) 946-0600.

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