Brave Mesquite Store Owner Engages in Shootout with Armed Robbers

A store owner in Mesquite, Texas, successfully defended himself against two would-be robbers who entered his shop with a gun. This was the third attempted robbery on the owner in the past five years, but he managed to scare off the previous criminals as well. The owner, known only as Tien for his safety, described his reaction as instinctual and credited it with potentially saving his life. Surveillance footage from Cash4Gold on Town East Boulevard captured the intense confrontation, in which Tien shot first and the two men fired back three times. Fortunately, no one was injured, although bullets damaged the glass counter, walls, and Tien’s golf bag. This was not the first time Tien had to defend his store, as a previous incident in July 2019 also involved armed men being scared off by his warning shot. Tien believes that cash and gold businesses are targeted because they are perceived as easy targets, but he emphasized that this is not the case. Mesquite police are urging the public to closely examine the surveillance video and images of the suspects, hoping that someone will recognize them. Lieutenant Brandon Ricketts stated that the suspects may face aggravated robbery charges once apprehended. Despite the repeated incidents, Tien has no plans to relocate his store, attributing his successful defenses to a combination of luck, awareness, and preparation.