CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Butler High School was put on lockdown Monday while Matthews police searched for armed robbers. A Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools official confirmed the school was locked down for about 20 minutes before school dismissed was for the day, but students were released on time.

Investigators say around 1 p.m., three men robbed the Lapidary Arts jewelry store off East Independence at gunpoint.

Police say the accused robbers also hit an employee and a customer in the head before running off.

Officer Stason Tyrrell says crime scene tape is an unfamiliar sight in this quiet shopping center.

"We've not had typically any problems like this, anything remotely close to this has happened here in recent history,” Stason said.

Customer Erica Mesaros went to the store Monday hoping to trade in some gold jewelry for cash, but she found the store had closed early. When she learned what happened, she couldn't believe it.

"That's terrible. I am so shocked that than happened. I know the people here, and they are really good people," Mesaros said.

Police say the customer and employee who were hit received minor injuries and are expected to be OK.

Investigators have a vague description of the suspects and they are looking at surveillance video from nearby businesses to see if the cameras captured any images of the accused robbers.