Ocala, Florida — A nail salon employee was arrested after he threatened another employee with a machete.
Ocala police responded to All Nail & Spa, located in the Gateway Plaza, after a witness reported seeing “several Asian people fighting in the parking lot.”
The victim, Johnny Chau, told police that he and the suspect, Dieu Pham, 48, had been arguing about something that happened inside the salon the day before. Chau stated that Pham tried to punch him with his fist, but he was able to duck and avoid the strike.
That is when Pham said he was going to his vehicle to get a weapon.
Chau then stated to Pham, “You cannot carry a weapon in America.”
According to repots, a witness stated that she was in Massage Envy when she saw a group of Asians run by the front of the business.
Once Pham reached his vehicle, he opened the trunk and pulled out a machete.
Witnesses stated that Pham then raised the machete and threatened Chau, who is also an employee of the nail salon. Chau then pulled out a container of mace and sprayed Pham in the face.
The owner of the salon, Lisa Vu, stated that she and other employees did follow Pham to his car and saw him with the machete.
Witnesses told police that Chau sprayed Pham in self defense.
Pham was arrested and charged with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon (Machete).
He was released on a $3,000 bond.
Police said that the machete was not recovered because Pham hid it before they could arrive.
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