Can I claim unemployment if I leave a job in which I feel threatened?

I am the manager of a store for an owner who lives out of state. It is myself and one employee. Twice now this employee has blown up at me. I wanted to terminate him, however the store owner is refusing to do so. I am often alone with this employee and fear that he may actually cause me physical harm. I wrote a letter to the store owner to let him know I feel unsafe yet he verbally told me that he wasn't going to do anything. His plan for my continued safety was for me to leave if I was attacked. He also made comments about women and "emotional roller coasters." I am the main income for my family of four and cannot afford to be without some sort of sustenance. Can I quit and receive unemployment benefits?