Video shows wild shootout between guards, robbers in Rowland Heights

ROWLAND HEIGHTS, Calif. (KABC) -- An attempted robbery turned into a gun battle between a group of masked men and security guards in Rowland Heights last week, and new video Monday showed a different look at the terrifying shootout.

In the newly released video, you see a masked, hooded figure climbing up the stairs with an assault rifle at the ready. Two other armed-robbery suspects catch up, peek around a pillar and bolt down a corridor.

Before two others can go around the corner, shots ring out.

One suspect turns and trips, another takes off down the stairs and the other three are close behind. Another angle shows the guards taking quick action to protect the store and everyone inside.

The dramatic gun battle between the five would-be robbers and two armed security guards happened last Tuesday afternoon at Hing Wa Lee Jewelers in Rowland Heights.

Owner David Lee showed the bullet holes that still dot the walls. He said he first saw the new video on Monday, which paints a much clearer picture of just how organized the criminals were.

"There were five guys! The guy with the assault rifle in the front, shooting at us at the beginning to try to scare the guards. There were the other guys with sledgehammers, and bags to put the loot in," Lee said.

He said all of that preparation on the criminal's part could have resulted in a much different outcome, but his carefully-chosen and trained guards made all the difference in the foiled heist.

"It's a matter of expecting that it's going to happen -- but just when," Lee said. "And being prepared when it does happen."