The Stamford community is mourning a jewelry store owner who was fatally shot inside of his store during an armed robbery.

The incident happened Saturday just before 3 p.m. at Marco Jewelers on 6th and Summer streets.

The owner was later identified as 69-year-old Mark Vuono who had died of a gunshot wound, police say.  

 

Cousin Rosemary DeLeo says Vuono was an extremely kind person. 

"Mark was wonderful. He had such a lovely way about him. He was such a professional, a gentlemen and just a very nice guy," DeLeo says. 

Flowers have been placed outside Vuono's store as condolences pour in. 

 

"It's devastating, especially to just a wonderful person. I mean, he would never hurt a fly," DeLeo says. 

Vuono was in the jewelry business for more than four decades, and the Vuono family has deep roots in Stamford.

Vuono's grandmother founded the Palace Theatre.

As the family grieves, detectives continue to search for the killers.

Anyone with information is asked to call Stamford police at  203-977-4417.