LINCOLNTON, NC — A vape shop employee and a suspect were injured after an armed robbery at a local business turned violent on Thursday afternoon. The incident, which unfolded at Dave’s Vape Shop on North Aspen Street around 1:20 p.m., led to multiple arrests and caused several nearby schools to go into lockdown as a precaution.

According to police, three suspects were involved in the robbery. Two entered the store while the third waited outside in a getaway vehicle. At least one of the suspects was armed. During the robbery, the suspects physically assaulted a store employee before stealing cash and merchandise.

As the suspects fled the scene, shots were fired, and one of them was struck. The wounded suspect, along with another accomplice, later sought medical help at Atrium Urgent Care in Lincolnton, where authorities quickly apprehended them. The third suspect was found hiding behind a nearby business on Stanford Drive.

Both the injured store employee and the wounded suspect were transported to a hospital for treatment. The employee reportedly suffered head injuries.

Police have arrested Kwan Monteith Jr. and Jacorrion Montgomery, charging them with robbery with a dangerous weapon. Additional charges may be filed as the investigation continues.

The Importance of Armed Self-Defense for Retail Workers

This incident highlights the dangers faced by employees working at vape shops, convenience stores, and other retail businesses that are frequently targeted for quick robberies. Given the high risk, it is crucial for employees—where permitted by their employer and local laws—to consider carrying a firearm for self-defense.

However, it’s also important to recognize legal boundaries when using a firearm. Reports indicate that the store employee may have fired at the suspects as they fled. Generally, once a suspect is escaping and no longer posing an immediate threat, the legal justification for using deadly force disappears. Shooting at a fleeing suspect can lead to serious legal consequences, even in situations where the individual was originally acting in self-defense.

As the investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the employee will face any charges. Hopefully, authorities will take into account the violent nature of the robbery and the trauma inflicted on the worker before making any determinations.

For those who work in high-risk retail environments, self-defense training and understanding local laws on the use of force are just as important as being armed. Knowing when—and when not—to use a firearm could make all the difference in protecting oneself while staying within the bounds of the law.