Folks, I almost spilled my coffee reading this one. A young man, Justin Tran, was heading to the gym in San Jose, California, when a black Lexus pulled up near his family’s house, and a man stepped out, firing multiple shots into Tran’s car. The poor guy was just 26 years old and was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident occurred on June 27, 2016, and it’s been a long and winding road to get to where we are today, with the alleged mastermind behind the killing, Myung Jin Kim, finally being held accountable.
Tran’s sister, Jade Phan, told CNN that the family lived in a cul-de-sac, and the killers followed her brother, waving him down, probably thinking he needed help. It’s just heartbreaking to think about how this young man’s life was cut short in such a senseless act of violence. The police investigation that followed was extensive, with surveillance footage showing a black Lexus driving around the neighborhood in the days leading up to the killing.
As the investigation continued, it became clear that Tran’s killing may have been related to Vietnamese street gangs. His stepfather had owned a Vietnamese café in San Jose, which contained illegal gambling machines, and he believed the attack was gang-related. The police found that the machines were owned by a Vietnamese man who paid him monthly rent to keep them there. It’s a complex web of events, but it seems that Tran’s stepfather was the intended target, not him.
The case took a significant turn when a confidential informant came forward, offering key details about the killing. The informant told police that a hitman had been offered $20,000 to kill an “Asian male in his 50s” who owned a restaurant in San Jose. The gunman was given the addresses of the intended victim’s home and restaurant and drove to the Bay Area with at least one accomplice. It’s just shocking to think that someone would be willing to take a life for a sum of money.
In 2020, police charged two Los Angeles-area men and a woman with participating in Tran’s killing. They received “significant prison time” for homicide charges, but the details of their sentencing were not made public. The investigation continued, and in December, authorities learned that Kim was in Laos, where he was seeking travel documents. Working with US federal officials and authorities in Laos, investigators were able to secure his arrest and extradition.
Kim is now being held at the Santa Clara County Main Jail on charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and attempted murder. His attorney has declined to comment, saying she’s still reviewing the prosecution’s evidence. It’s going to be interesting to see how this case plays out in court.
As I read through this article, I couldn’t help but think about the impact that Tran’s death has had on his family. His sister, Jade, has held on to his old T-shirt, a black Hennessy shirt that he used to wear a lot. It’s a small reminder of the life that was lost, and the memories that are slowly fading away. The arrest of Kim may bring some closure to the family, but it will never bring back the life that was taken.
In the end, it’s a tragic reminder that violence can affect anyone, anywhere, and that the consequences of our actions can be devastating. As Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said, “Justice knows no borders, and we will go to the literal ends of the earth in the pursuit of justice.” Let’s hope that justice is served in this case, and that Tran’s family can finally find some peace. And on a lighter note, I’m just glad I didn’t spill my coffee while reading this article – that would have been a real tragedy!
Armchair patriot. Believes in the free market, cold beer, and that there’s always a guy named George behind every CNN segment.
Former remote-throwing champion turned #1 couch commentator on liberal panic in the media. Born in Texas (or so his mug says), he earned a degree in Fake Newsology & Beer Philosophy from YouTube University.
