Shocking Footage: Las Vegas Vape Shop Owner Fends Off Robber with Knife Defense
A Las Vegas vape shop owner defended himself with a knife, stabbing a would-be robber who jumped over the counter during an attempted daylight heist. The incident, captured on video, reveals the dramatic moments when Johnny Nguyen, owner of Smokestrom Smoke Shop, faced off against the attacker, stabbing him at least seven times.
Footage from the store's surveillance cameras shows two men in ski masks entering the shop on Wednesday afternoon. Nguyen, 22, questioned their attire and asked them to leave. One of the suspects grabbed a tip jar, but the confrontation escalated when another suspect vaulted over the counter, prompting Nguyen to reach for a knife he kept by the register.
āI was scared for my life,ā Nguyen told The Post, describing the incident. He said the man with a bag raised fears of a possible firearm, leaving him little time to react. As the suspect leapt over the counter and tried to grab merchandise, Nguyen repeatedly stabbed him, leading the attacker to yell, āIām dead!ā before collapsing.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department confirmed that officers responded to the incident, but provided limited details. Nguyen said that while the robber was on the ground, he attempted to make contact with emergency services. The attacker was later revealed to be 17 years old, though his condition is unclear.
The violent encounter came just a day after a similar incident in California, where a liquor store owner shot an armed robber carrying an AR-15-style rifle, also captured on video. The parallels between the two events highlight the dangers faced by small business owners.
Nguyen, who turns 23 on Saturday, said he is grateful to have survived the ordeal but remains shaken. "Small business owners like us, this is our livelihood," he explained, adding that he is considering additional security measures for his store. Despite the terrifying encounter, Nguyen hopes to continue serving his customers while staying vigilant against future threats.
