Jewelry Store Customer, Shot During Robbery, Dies

A jewelry store customer who was shot in the head during a robbery last Sunday died Friday in the hospital, a spokesman for Scripps Memorial Hospital said.

Brian Sullivan, 34, died at 10:45 a.m. from injuries suffered during a Mother’s Day robbery at J. Jessop’s & Sons’ store at 1205 Prospect Place in La Jolla.

Sullivan, who had been on life-support systems, was wounded in the head, hospital spokesman Gary Friederichsen said.

Sullivan was shot during the daylight robbery, one of two jewelry robberies committed simultaneously in La Jolla. The other occurred a half-block down the street at C. J. Charles Ltd. The robbers escaped in two stolen cars that were later found in Pacific Beach.

San Diego police have said that the crimes are similar to ones that occurred two years ago and believe they are being committed by a Los Angeles-based crime ring. The robbers were “dressed in Ninja style clothing,” Lt. Paul Ybarrondo said, explaining the similarities between the robberies.

Police said they have not identified any suspects.

Friends of the Sullivan family have announced a $25,000 reward for any information leading the arrests and conviction of the robbers. Anyone with information about the crime can contact police or call the Crime Stopper’s confidential TipLine.

Sullivan is survived by his wife.