Harlingen merchant found bloodied at shop

HARLINGEN - A local merchant was hospitalized Wednesday after she was found lying on the floor in a pool of blood at the San Miguel Gifts and Jewelry shop at 1617 E. Harrison Ave., witnesses at the scene said.

The 68-year-old woman "appeared to have been the victim of a violent assault," police said in a news release.

Shop owner Juanita Davis was found about 2:30 p.m., said Raul Rodriguez, owner of the nearby El Campanario restaurant.

"She was alone at the time she was found. It was the mailman who found her and called the ambulance," Rodriguez said. "But nobody knows what happened."

"We don't know if she fell on her own or if someone went in there," Rodriguez added.

Police responded to the call about 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, police spokesman Sgt. John Parrish said. He also said he did not know how or why Davis was injured, but added the case is under investigation.

He did not know the severity of Davis' injuries.

Dorinda Treviño, owner of Secret Scents, the suite next to the San Miguel shop, said nothing like this had happened at the shopping center since she opened her business there in November.

"There was some broken glass and there was some jewelry missing - it was not where she usually has it," Treviño said. "We don't know if there was money missing."

"We're scared because we don't know what the intentions (of this incident) were," Treviño said.