Man Receives Second Life Sentence for Killing 10-Year-Old Boy in 2013 Nail Salon Robbery

Anthawn Ragan Jr. was convicted of murdering Aaron Vu during a robbery at a North Miami nail salon.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Anthawn Ragan Jr., 31, was sentenced to a second life term in prison for the 2013 murder of 10-year-old Aaron Vu during a robbery at a North Miami nail salon. Ragan had already been serving a life sentence for another murder. The judge sentenced Ragan to life in prison without the possibility of parole for Aaron Vu's killing, which was captured on surveillance video.

Why it matters

This case highlights the tragic consequences of violent crime and the importance of holding repeat offenders accountable. The murder of a young child during a robbery shocked the community and sparked renewed calls for tougher sentencing and crime prevention measures.

The details

In 2013, when Ragan was just shy of his 19th birthday, he was involved in a robbery at a North Miami nail salon. During the robbery, Ragan fired several shots, killing 10-year-old Aaron Vu and wounding his father, Hai Nam Vu. The entire incident was captured on surveillance video. Ragan had already been sentenced to life in prison for the 2013 murder of 21-year-old Louis Perez at a Motel 7 in North Miami, which was also caught on camera.

  • Ragan was involved in the nail salon robbery in 2013, when he was just shy of his 19th birthday.
  • Ragan was sentenced to a second life term on March 10, 2026.

The players

Anthawn Ragan Jr.

A 31-year-old man convicted of murdering 10-year-old Aaron Vu during a 2013 robbery at a North Miami nail salon, and also convicted of murdering 21-year-old Louis Perez at a Motel 7 in North Miami.

Aaron Vu

A 10-year-old boy who was killed during the 2013 robbery at a North Miami nail salon.

Hai Nam Vu

The father of Aaron Vu, who was wounded during the 2013 nail salon robbery.

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What they’re saying

“As long as he's not ever out in public to hurt another innocent person, that's the main thing.”

— Hai Nam Vu, Father of Aaron Vu

The takeaway

This case underscores the devastating impact of violent crime, especially when it involves the senseless murder of a child. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of robust crime prevention efforts, effective law enforcement, and fair but firm sentencing to protect vulnerable members of the community.