Relatives said the victim owned Everest Jewels and was a Nepali immigrant and father of three, while police continued searching for answers.
FAIRFIELD, OH — A man was found dead Tuesday inside a Fairfield business after police responded to reports of gunshots, launching a robbery and homicide investigation at a Dixie Highway location identified in news reports as Everest Jewels.
Fairfield police said officers were called at about 12:54 p.m. Oct. 20 to 6679 Dixie Highway after receiving a report of a disturbance involving gunfire. Officers found a man dead inside the business. Police said investigators were treating the case as a robbery and homicide. Authorities had not publicly identified the victim as of early Wednesday.
Extended family members told WLWT that the man killed was the owner of the jewelry store. They described him as a Nepali immigrant and a father of three. Police had not independently confirmed those details or released the victim’s name, and authorities had not announced information about a possible suspect.
The killing brought a large police response to the commercial property along Dixie Highway, near Boymel Drive. News crews at the scene reported seeing damage to a store window. Investigators were also seen checking nearby businesses as they worked to determine what happened before and during the shooting.
Police have released few details about the sequence of events. Authorities have not said how many people may have been involved in the robbery, whether anything was taken from the business or whether investigators believe the person responsible left the area in a vehicle. No arrest had been publicly announced in the initial reports.
The shooting occurred on what relatives described to WLWT as the first day of a Nepalese Hindu festival, adding another layer of grief for the victim’s family. Authorities have not suggested the timing had any connection to the robbery, and no motive beyond the reported robbery had been announced.
Everest Jewels & Clothing was identified by journalists at the scene as the business investigators were focusing on. The address provided by Fairfield police is part of a commercial property occupied by multiple businesses, according to public records and local reporting. Police initially described the location only as a business at 6679 Dixie Highway.
Investigators have not publicly released surveillance images, a description of a suspect or information about a possible getaway vehicle. Police also have not disclosed whether witnesses were inside or near the store when the gunfire was reported. Those details remained part of the active investigation.
Fairfield police asked anyone with information about the robbery and homicide to contact Sgt. Bryan Carnes at 513-867-6005. The investigation remained active early Wednesday, with the victim’s identity and information about any potential suspects still awaiting official release.
Author note: Last updated October 21, 2026.