Man in viral video scares off looters from robbing North Harris County store during Harvey

Looters in northeast Harris County thought they had found an easy target when they came across the empty Little York Food Mart in northeast Harris County on Tuesday afternoon.

The small shop in the 7000 block of Little York Road was void of workers and customers in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, like numerous other storms. The thieves were quickly chased off however by when they came across Nash John, who was armed with a shotgun.

HARVEY LOOTERS: 40 arrested in Harris County for looting

“Don’t go back in that store. I’m going to tell you one time. I’m not scared to shoot you,” John said to the men in a viral Facebook video that’s been viewed 2.7 million times as of Thursday. “I’m an ex fu***** SWAT deputy, I will cut your a** in half.”

The looters quickly disperse, especially as John is seen walking toward the store, his shotgun slung over his shoulder.

“As a former law enforcement officer, I understand it’s not right to steal,” John told Chron.com. “I let it be known that I was carrying a firearm. I’m not going to allow them to destroy my community, because this is where I live.”





See more images of rescues in East Texas during Hurricane Harvey. less Nash John of Houston has become viral after a Facebook video showed him fighting off would-be looters from a Little York Food Mart in North Harris County with a shotgun on Aug. 8, 2017.



See more images of ... more Nash John of Houston has become viral after a Facebook video showed him fighting off would-be looters from a Little York Food Mart in North Harris County with a shotgun on Aug. 8, 2017. Photo: Tay Mayberry Photo: Tay Mayberry Image 1 of / 131 Caption Close Man in viral video scares off looters from robbing North Harris County store during Harvey 1 / 131 Back to Gallery

The life-long Houstonian said he’s helped rescue at least 30 people from high flood waters since Hurricane Harvey hit this weekend, working alongside other volunteers and first-responders. Nash said he spent all day Wednesday cutting down trees in his neighborhood so first-responders had a path to get to residents in need. He’s gotten few hours of sleep each night, pushing himself to protect his community has much as possible.

“I’ve always been a first-responder,” John said. “All men should step up and protect their community and their elderly.”

BY THE NUMBERS: The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey

On Wednesday, authorities arrested more than 40 people for looting in Houston and the greater area. Police said they will impose greater charges for those caught looting in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

Meeting Mr. Nash John

“My mom and a lot of people know Mr. Nash. He holds down the neighborhood,” said Tay Mayberry, the woman who recorded John chasing off the would-be looters. “I just had never met him until that day. Ever since then, we’ve been in touch with him every day.”

Mayberry, who said she lives on the outskirts of the greater Greenspoint neighborhood, said her house flooded when Hurricane Harvey hit Friday night.

Mayberry said she chose to stay in her home because she heard people posing as volunteer rescue workers were robbing people.

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Mayberry is one of thousands who have been displaced by Hurricane Harvey.

According to statistics from the Texas Division of Emergency Management on Thursday, 41,159 homes have been damaged so far in Harris County. Across the Greater Houston area, approximately 27,417 people are believed to be in shelters. So far, 210,000 Texas registrations have been made for federal aid at DisasterAssistance.gov. But Mayberry isn’t giving up. Like John, she said she’s going to continue to do everything she can for her neighborhood.

HELPING HANDS: How to help the victims of the Texas storm

“The storm has been the single most frightening thing I’ve experienced in my life. But I can’t be shocked right now,” Mayberry said. “I have a lot of people reaching out to me, in regards to what they can do. I want to help people, that’s all I want to do. I want to help anybody who was displaced, I just want to be a vessel God can use.”

Mayberry said she has friends from Nebraska who are coming to Harris County with supplies and will volunteer their services.

For John, he said he’ll continue to help people as much as he can.

He said the only reason he stopped rescue people out of high water is because he doesn’t have access to a boat or jet ski.

“This is about humanity. We need to act as one,” John said. “This storm didn’t happen to a particular neighborhood. That’s why everybody has to lend a helping hand.”