SHEPHERDSVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) -- Shepherdsville Police are investigating a hate crime after vandals broke in Sunday night and trashed a smoke shop owned by an Iraqi man.
Jacob's Smoke Shop opened less than two months ago. Now, the shop is closed and the owner says he may never open it again.
For three days, the owner, who doesn't want to be identified, says he hasn't been able to eat or sleep. In fact, he's afraid of being killed. Paint and racial slurs smear the walls, floors, and ceiling of his smoke shop. Shattered glass is spread across the floor.
An engineer in his native Iraq, the owner came to Ky. for his wife. People who know him talk first about his kindness. Whether it was a free drink or $50 to make rent, he never turned a neighbor down. And even now, he says he knows this crime doesn't reflect the spirit of all Americans. But, he's still debating going back to Iraq.
Police officers have told the owner they have a suspect and someone who is willing to be a witness.
The owner says he and his family have been harassed at the shop before. He described three young men and a young woman in a red car driving by shouting obscenities. He said they've also stolen a sign.
Insurance will cover the cleanup and repairs, but the owner doesn't know if he'll ever open up shop again.
