3 Weeks After Shooting Jewelry Store Owner Works Again
KETV.com
OMAHA, Neb. — An Omaha jewelry storeowner who was shot in the head three weeks ago is now back to work.
Larry Gilinsky lost his left eye in the shooting, but he told KETV NewsWatch 7 that he’s not going to let it hold him back. Gilinsky is back doing what he said he loves — selling jewelry — at his Bergman’s Jewelry store near 94th and F streets.
“I just feel tremendously fortunate,” Gilinsky said.
Gilinsky was shot twice the afternoon of May 9. The bullets landed in his leg and his head.
Police identified the shooter from store surveillance cameras as Steven Berentson, 56. Gilinsky said his employee yelled as the suspect fled from the store.
“She screamed, ‘Larry, he’s got our rings,’ and I was here and I saw him run out the door and I foolishly chased after him,” Gilinsky said.
Gilinsky said he knows he should not have run outside after the robber, but he said it was instinct to try to figure out where the man was going.
“It’s a gut reaction. He was violating us. He was taking goods that belong to us,” Gilinsky said.
It was then, Gilinsky said, that the man pulled a gun and shot.
“I think I’ve been very fortunate. No hangover from the incident. No nightmares, no second thoughts,” Gilinsky said.
Gilinsky said he knows the shot to his head could have been fatal, but the bullet just took the sight in his left eye.
“How lucky is that? It’s incredible,” the grateful businessman said. “It’s a blip on our radar screen and go forward.”
Omaha police are still searching for Berentson. An arrest warrant has been issued. If you know where Berentson is, call Crime Stoppers at 402-444-STOP.
