Earlier this month, Martin Olive, owner of the Vapor Room smoke shop in San Francisco's Mission District, faced a terrifying ordeal when he was shot multiple times by an assailant later identified as 34-year-old Cheasarak Chong. The unexpected violence unfolded last Monday, leaving Olive to grapple with severe injuries. Olive recounted the horrifying moments to ABC7 News, describing the searing pain he endured and his disbelief as the events occurred.
The confrontation seemed to Olive to be surreal, initially perceivable as some kind of practical joke until the bullets struck his face and body, with Olive thinking he might die right there on the street. "I remember feeling like this sensation of like, pulling out of me - but not being able to escape it," Olive told ABC7 News. His saving grace came in the form of a nearby nurse who provided immediate aid, helping to stabilize him until paramedics arrived.
Olive's assailant was later killed in a shootout with the San Francisco Police Department, which revealed a stockpile of weapons and ammunition in his apartment. This cache made Olive suspect that Chong may have been planning a broader attack. In recounting his experience to NBC Bay Area, Olive voiced his desire to understand Chong's motives, all while expressing gratitude to his neighbors and medical team for their life-preserving actions.
The community rallied around Olive after the incident, and a GoFundMe page was established to aid in his long recovery process. Described as "one of the most vibrant, hilarious, and greatest humans," the fund aims to help Olive overcome imminent medical costs and facilitate his journey back to normalcy. As the page organizer Jason Tyler Grace mentioned, "Clearly the world wants him here, and so do we." Supporters can read more about Olive's situation and make donations on the GoFundMe page.
Olive, who cannot return to his shop due to his injuries, has expressed immense gratitude for the chance to continue his life's work. He aims to acknowledge and thank those who assisted him during his critical time of need.
