Thursday, November 22, 2007

[Cambodian-American] Family Mourns Father Killed In Shootout

November 21, 2007
NBCSanDiego.com (San Diego, California, USA)

Alleged Getaway Driver Enters Plea

SAN DIEGO -- The family of a man killed in a shooting spree inside an apartment complex Saturday night is speaking out about their loss.

Oeuth Saem, 45, was the father of five children, one girl and four boys ranging in age from 14 to 24. He was one of six people shot inside a Normal Heights apartment over the weekend. He died instantly at the scene.

Officials said the gunman, Cau Lam, 41, went the home to shoot his estranged wife. Lam fled the scene, and continued to open fire, shooting a state agent who confronted him. He continued to shoot at officers as he ran across Interstate 805, authorities said. He was eventually shot and killed by police.

The shooting forced the closure of the freeway for 10 hours.

Saem's daughter, Vannoeun Oeuth, told NBC 7/39 her family is just beginning to cope with their loss. Her father came to the U.S. 20 years ago, escaping the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia in search of a better life.

"I was shocked because you never know that that could happen to your family, that someone could just shoot someone like that," Vannoeun said.

She said the family relied on his income, working as a card dealer at Sycuan.

She told NBC 7/39 that the night of the shooting, her father had attended a karaoke party at the home of one of his co-workers -- and that it was that co-worker's ex-husband who went on the shooting spree inside.

Vannoeun said her grandmother is grief stricken.

"She hasn't eaten and slept for two three days. All she did is just cry and cry."

Her parents recently separated and since her mother was disabled and unable to work, she is worried for the family's future.

"I'm like the second mom. I cook. I try cleaning and listening to their problems -- it's hard," she said.

Alleged Getaway Driver Enters Plea

A drug probe target accused of driving a getaway car during the shootout made his first court appearance Wednesday.

Tri Minh Vo, 23, pleaded not guilty to murder and conspiracy charges. He was ordered held without bail by Judge David Szumowski.

Police arrested Vo Saturday at 8:30 p.m. after the deadly shooting spree. The deputy district attorney said Vo was under surveillance as part of an undercover narcotics, gang and arms trafficking investigation when the shooting happened.

Vo, who faces 31 years to life if convicted as charged, may face additional counts later, including attempted murder, prosecutors said.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

They fled killing field at the end they have to face 30 year or more in jail,the viet always have a poison blood in any where they go.

Anonymous said...

Very unfortunate incident; certainly, it could happen anywhere (as I'm writing).

It is infeasible to avert the inevitability. We have to expect the expected.

My sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims.

Anonymous said...

This is one of the worse report I have seen.

Can some one tell me how many people died from the shooting? Usually the tell you how many died and how many injured.

Anonymous said...

Approximately there are 36,530 killed in violence in USA, based on FBI statistics in 2006. An estimate this year would be 3% increase.

He would have been ok if he chosed not to go to his co-worker to join Karoake party. He Should be aware that she(co-worker) has an ongoing problems with her ex-hausband.

My condolence to the family