Something is always better than nothing when one’s in a fight for their life.
But a Las Vegas smoke shop owner is now recognizing the value of having a firearm for self-defense after fending off one of at three masked robbers with a knife last Wednesday.
Johnny Nguyen, the owner of Smokestrom Smoke Shop near Orville, spoke to FOX5 about his harrowing encounter that happened in broad daylight.
“The whole time I was a little bit nervous because obviously I was getting robbed,” said Nguyen.
“I was really scared for my life because they were wearing baggy clothes… one of them came in with a bag as if he had a firearm,” Nguyen added.
Footage shows two of the suspects entering the store. One steals a tip jar while the other jumps the counter to grab some items off the shelves.
VIDEO: ‘He Shot My Arm Off,’ Wounded Robber Screams Out After Shotgun-Wielding Store Owner Lands One
Nguyen immediately confronted the robber behind the counter, stabbing him multiple times with a knife.
“I was in a fight or flight mode… a lot of adrenaline going through my body,” Nguyen said.
The robber with the tip jar fled the scene. Nguyen dragged the other to the front of the store. He then called the police.
It’s unclear how serious that suspect was wounded.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police said that in total three juvenile suspects were arrested in connection with the robbery.
While many in the community have voice support for Nguyen, a GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover potential legal fees, there are questions surrounding his use of force.
Attorney Thomas Boley told News3 that Nevada’s Stand Your Ground Law creates a gray area for businesses, especially when it’s unclear if the suspects were armed.
“What’s key in this case is the distance between the two people. You’ve got this clerk, and this guy is coming at him, you know he could, depending on the rest of the facts, theoretically fear for his safety,” said Boley.
Authorities say the investigation is ongoing. So far, no charges have been filed against Nguyen.
While he waits for the shoe to drop on the legal front, Nguyen indicated that out of fear of potential retaliation he is going to step up his self-defense posture by purchasing a gun.
“I don’t know who their friends with, maybe they want to come back and do something else, so I just must stay vigilant,” Nguyen said.
Stay tuned for updates.
Smokes are a premium resale item due to their
cost , because of overtaxation , and can be liquidated
rather promptly .
The government created the problem , now it again
sees the results of excessive greed .
The “ teens “ , however will be back out thieving within
a matter of hours . Hell , taxpayers probably footed the
bill to stitch his impertinent self together again .
Well, it’s Commiefornia, so the victim is automatically going to be charged & convicted for defending his life & property, and then sued for violating the “civil rights” of the criminals. Welcome to the new Progressive-Socialist hell.
Vegas
I applaud Johnny for what he did and that he now wants to buy a gun for better self-defense, but YouTube is really going crazy here, because there was nothing graphic to be seen in this video at all. Anyway, I really hope that Johnny won’t face any charges. After all, the second suspect suddenly jumped over the counter and Johnny could never know what this maniac would be doing next, if he “just” wanted to rob the store or if he maybe would attack him. There were already too many cases in which a robbery turned fatal for the store owner, so I truly applaud Johnny for taking drastic action.
Is the Clark County DA a Soros-funded liberal? That will determine how likely for Mr Nguyen to face charges