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LAS VEGAS, NV — A simple ATM stop nearly turned deadly for 22-year-old Bryson Chen, who was shot and robbed for $40 while withdrawing cash late at night. The shooting occurred March 10 on North Las Vegas Boulevard near Cheyenne Avenue, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD).

Chen was driving home from work when he pulled over to withdraw $40 for gas. As he made the transaction, a suspect approached him from behind, pulled a gun, and demanded money. “In the corner of my eye, I see the person walking up behind me, and that’s when he pulled out the gun,” Chen told KLAS 8 News Now.

Chen tossed his wallet and the cash toward the suspect, but the gunman fired anyway, striking Chen in the abdomen. The bullet passed through his body, requiring two surgeries. Fortunately, Chen survived.

LVMPD is still searching for the suspect, described as a Black male, 16-20 years old, 5’8” to 5’10”, with dreadlocks and glasses. He was last seen wearing black pants with a red bandana in his back pocket and a black hoodie.

This incident is one of several unsolved shooting cases being handled by LVMPD’s Violent Gun Crime Unit.

Lessons in Situational Awareness and Risk Avoidance

Carrying a firearm is one part of personal protection, but equally important is avoiding high-risk situations when possible. Visiting a standalone ATM late at night, alone, creates vulnerabilities. There are often safer alternatives:

• Use drive-thru ATMs during daytime hours.
• Get cashback while shopping at stores.
• Avoid making cash withdrawals when alone after dark.

Bad actors exploit predictable behaviors. Situational awareness and risk management help reduce exposure to threats before they occur.

Why We Carry — But Also Why We Plan Ahead

Incidents like this reinforce why many choose to carry firearms for personal defense. But carrying is only part of the equation. Avoiding dangerous situations in the first place is always safer than having to respond to a violent threat. A better plan would have been getting cash earlier, using other withdrawal methods, or delaying the withdrawal until a safer time.

LVMPD asks anyone with information to contact their Violent Gun Crime Unit at (702) 828-7815 or Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555 or online at crimestoppersofnv.com.