(Editor’s note: Quotes in this article from Ramirez have been translated from Spanish to English)

Shoppers and employees at a Sedano’s grocery store along Curry Ford Road ran for cover Thursday afternoon after Orlando police said a man walked in carrying what appeared to be a rifle and pointed it at employees, and even a customer’s dog.

Andrea Ramirez, who runs a boutique inside the Sedano’s, told News 6 she initially believed the man was armed security. But she said she became frightened when she saw him point the weapon.

“At first I wasn’t scared,” Ramirez said. “I thought he was a security guard, just another normal person. But then, when I saw him point at the people, I got scared and started recording and running away.”

Orlando police identified the suspect as 44-year-old Juby Vera. Investigators say Vera pointed the weapon at a supervisor and then walked toward the jewelry counter, demanding a watch.

News 6 spoke with that store clerk, who did not wish to be identified, and said that she was scared and ducked for cover. Despite the fear, she came back to work the next day.

Police say Vera later left through the store’s east entrance and was arrested a short distance away at a bus stop.

An arrest affidavit said that Vera “repeatedly stated” that the rifle was not real.

According to Ramirez, the weapon looked real to people inside the store.

“At first I thought it wasn’t real, but then I saw that it was, because he pretended to load the gun,” Ramirez said.

Ramirez said she recorded video of the suspect as he walked away to document his appearance and clothing while others were hiding and trying to get away.

“We’re still nervous. We are still scared,” Ramirez said. “There’s still some fear because it’s the first time this has happened here.”

Vera remains in custody at the Orange County jail, according to jail records.

Employees at the store told News 6 business was quieter than usual Friday, and some customers who were there during the incident have not returned.