Owner fires shots at robbers after tobacco shop targeted twice in 48 hours
Sep 10, 2025, 7:02 AM
Exterior of the heavily-damaged Xhale Tobacco in Seattle’s Greenwood neighborhood. (Photo courtesy of SPD)
(Photo courtesy of SPD)
For the second time in barely 48 hours, a Greenwood shop owner has been victimized by robbers who gained entry by smashing a car into his business.
Two days after a group of suspects smashed into Xhale Tobacco shop, located on N. 85th Street in Seattle, with a stolen car in order to steal merchandise overnight Monday, the shop owner believes the same group of robbers returned.
The owner, Zain, and his brother stayed overnight inside the store when the robbers returned at approximately 3 a.m. Wednesday. This time, Zain was armed.
“Three cars came. They used one car to break in, and soon they broke the door and everything,” Zain told KIRO Newsradio. “We ran outside, and I shot like four times.”
The robbers ran away after the shots were fired. Zain told KIRO Newsradio he does not think he hit anyone. Despite the act of self-defense, he’s worried the same crew will come back.
“I don’t know what to do,” Zain said. “How to stop these guys.”
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Overnight Monday smash-and-grab leaves Seattle tobacco shop heavily damaged
A group of suspects smashed into Xhale Tobacco with a car in order to steal merchandise just before 2:30 a.m. Monday in Seattle’s Greenwood neighborhood. The Seattle Police Department (SPD) has opened an investigation into the incident.
A group of four suspects, all wearing dark clothing, arrived at the shop in three cars. They rammed one of the cars into the entrance multiple times in order to break in and steal merchandise inside.
Police said the crash caused significant damage, destroying the business’ security gate, shattering a glass door, and breaking a steel bollard. It is unclear how much merchandise was stolen. When the thieves were finished, they left the scene in two separate cars.
“All four suspects entered the store with bags and grabbed merchandise before fleeing eastbound on N. 85th Street in two vehicles, leaving the Hyundai behind,” SPD wrote on its crime blotter.
SPD later confirmed the Hyundai used in the crash was reported stolen in Seattle.
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