Chef Tobias Dorzon Recalls Surviving Shooting During Armed Robbery

MD, USA — Chef Tobias Dorzon is sharing his harrowing experience of surviving a shooting during an armed robbery that occurred on Nov. 5, 2024. In an interview, Dorzon details the night a group of armed robbers confronted him and his girlfriend, Crystal Swan, shortly after they returned home from a date night.

“I was trying to cover Crystal, and then I started getting hit,” Dorzon recalled. He spoke about how he was shot 11 times while trying to protect Swan. The couple had just exited their Uber when they were approached by the assailants.

Dorzon, who chose to forgo his security detail that evening, faced a life-threatening situation. In his words, “You got that last second of almost thinking, are you still going to be here?” His fears intensified as he thought about his children and the possibility of not surviving the attack.

Both Dorzon and Swan sustained injuries; she collapsed in their front yard. In a desperate attempt to get help, Dorzon managed to FaceTime his brother while lying on the ground, and a neighbor called 911.

According to authorities, the robbers stole items worth approximately $100,000, including Dorzon’s luxury Audemars Piguet watch and diamond necklace. Five suspects fled the scene in a stolen vehicle, with 21-year-old Devin Demetrius Spivey identified as one of the assailants. Spivey faces multiple charges, including attempted murder and armed robbery, but has pleaded not guilty.

Spivey’s attorney, Brendan Callahan, stated, “There are many unanswered questions in the case and we are confident that further investigation will reveal that Devin Spivey did not shoot Mr. Dorzon.”

The injuries from the shooting have left Dorzon with a possible long-term disability, including concerns that he may never walk again. Reflecting on the incident, he said, “I’ve never been in trouble, and I thought that something like this could never happen to me.”

Despite the trauma, Dorzon expresses gratitude for his life and ongoing recovery. He spent two months in the hospital, undergoing several surgeries and physical therapy. Celebrity chef Guy Fieri provided support during his recovery, checking in regularly and offering encouragement.

Now, Dorzon is preparing to return to television with the premiere of Food Network’s “Tournament of Champions: All-Star Christmas.” Although he lost feeling in one of his fingers, he remains focused on his passion for cooking. “I’m just super grateful to be here, to be in the moment and to still be able to cook and give people an experience,” he said.