Argument Between Two Groups Ends in Murder

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Saturday, May 6, 2000

"An Argument Between Two Groups Ends in Murder"

Los Angeles – On Saturday, May 6, 2000 at approximately 12:15 AM, two groups of male Asians became involved in a verbal dispute outside the "X.O." music studio and karaoke bar located at 429 N. Western Avenue in Korea Town. Following the verbal argument, the suspect group described only as approximately 10 unknown male Asians ranging in ages from 15 to 25 years old, left the location and went back to two vehicles. Suspect individual(s) in at least one of the two suspect vehicles armed themselves with unknown caliber firearms and drove back to the original location where they fired upon the victim group which was still standing outside of the karaoke bar. The victims group is described only as approximately 9 male Koreans of ages ranging from 15 to 22 years old.

Unfortunately, Jae-Joon Kwon, a male Korean, age 22 and a resident of Korea Town was struck by the gunfire and was transported to Cedar Sinai Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. A second Korean male victim was also struck by the gunfire, but his wounds were not life threatening.

The investigation is being conducted by Detective Support Division, Asian Crimes Investigation Section. Anyone with information regarding the above crimes can contact Detectives B. Kwon and/or T. Carlos at 213-473-7333.

For further information, please contact the Media Relations Section at
213-485-3586.

For Release 2:00 pm PDT
May 8, 2000