Police are asking for help locating two women in connection with a violent jewelry store robbery during which one of the thieves’ gun "failed to fire" at an 11-year-old girl.

The robbery happened shortly before 8:30 p.m. on August 1, 2014, at the Asia Gold Incorporated Jewelry Store, a family-owned store located on Steeles Avenue West in Vaughan.

York Region Police say one of the women, described as black and between 22 and 27 years of age, first entered the store posing as a customer. She had brown highlights in her braided hair at the time.

Approximately 30 minutes after she left the store, the same woman returned with another woman described by Det. Sgt. Michael Fleischaker as "black, with shoulder-length brown hair, a lighter complexion than the first suspect and also taller and thinner." She is also between 22 and 27 years of age.

Security surveillance footage from the store showed the women browsing calmly in the shop while appearing to look for a necklace. Things quickly changed, however, when the women pulled out a handgun and a Taser, demanding the store owner hand over the jewelry.

"After repeated demands for the owner to turn over the necklace, the owner failed to comply and suspect number two used the Taser device," Fleischaker told reporters Friday.

He later told CTV Toronto that in his policing experience, it was "rare" for women to commit armed robberies, adding the "extent of violence (in this case) was unheard of."

After one of the women used the Taser on the store owner, he fled to the back room, fearing for his life. Police say a single round was then fired off, but the shot missed the owner. The bullet tore through a door, and hit a cabinet in another room.

The owner, who does not want to be identified, said it was a frightening experience.

"For five seconds I say everything goes black that time when they are firing and shooting things," he said.

After missing the owner, police say the two women turned their attention to the man's 11-year-old daughter.

According to witnesses, one of the women pointed the gun at the girl and pulled the trigger multiple times.

Police say the firearm "failed to fire" for reasons unknown.

Three male suspects also tried to enter the store, but were unable to because the store’s security system had been triggered.

The suspects "grabbed jewelry and then fled the scene with the three males and were last seen eastbound in a black BMW," according to police.

Police are asking anyone with information about the robbery to contact them at 1-866-786-5423, extension 6620. Tips can be anonymously with Crime Stoppers at 1-866-222-TIPS.

With a report from CTV Toronto's Austin Delaney