What began as a late-night dice game at a Birmingham Airbnb turned deadly on March 3, 2024, when a robbery plot erupted into violence, leaving Phong “Timmy” Nguyen dead from a gunshot wound to the neck.
The incident occurred when a group of party attendees gathered for a dice game that quickly escalated into a planned robbery. Surveillance footage from the Airbnb captured the sequence of events, showing a physical altercation between Nguyen and suspect Cameron Scales over cash and a firearm.
During the struggle, investigators determined that Scales allegedly wrestled a gun away from Nguyen before firing the fatal shot. The chaotic scene left behind seven shell casings, indicating multiple shots were fired during the incident. The robbery attempt transformed what started as a social gathering into a crime scene that would challenge investigators in the following days.
Initial efforts to gather information about the shooting met resistance, as witnesses feared for their safety and were reluctant to cooperate with law enforcement. Nonetheless, a breakthrough came when one witness stepped forward, providing vital testimony that identified both Scales and another suspect named Dortch. These names were later confirmed by members of Nguyen’s family who were familiar with the individuals involved.
The investigation disclosed that the robbery wasn’t a random act but rather a calculated plot that unfolded during the dice game. This information emerged through detailed witness statements and analysis of the surveillance footage, which documented the progression from gambling to violence.
Law enforcement’s examination of the crime scene yielded significant evidence, including the recovered shell casings and surveillance video that corroborated witness accounts. The footage proved instrumental in piecing together the sequence of events that led to Nguyen’s death.
The case highlighted the dangerous intersection of illegal gambling and violent crime, with what appeared to be a casual dice game masking more sinister intentions. The Birmingham Police Department’s investigation continues to focus on building a comprehensive case against those responsible for planning and executing the robbery that resulted in Nguyen’s death.
Investigators are working to determine if additional suspects were involved in the robbery plot, while emphasizing the importance of witness cooperation in bringing all responsible parties to justice. The incident has drawn attention to safety concerns surrounding short-term rentals and the potential for seemingly ordinary social gatherings to conceal criminal activities.
