Police in Washington arrested a 25-year-old man on charges of murdering two Taiwanese nationals — a father and son — who ran a wholesale novelty warehouse in one of the city’s most dangerous areas.
Christian Taylor was taken into custody at an apartment not far from the scene of the crime, which occurred on Wednesday last week. Police sources said that they knew the identity of a second man who is alleged to have driven the getaway car.
A hunt is under way for the second suspect.
Only two men are believed to have been involved in the shooting of Chih Ming-kun (池明坤), 59, and his son Chih Li-jen (池立仁), 32.
The entire crime was captured on a security camera that was kept in the warehouse to record all business transactions from a corner of the ceiling.
Police sources said the video showed a lone African-American man entering the warehouse with a gun and demanding money.
The sources said Chih Ming-kun quickly handed over the day’s takings, but that Chih Li-jen tried to get the money back.
As a fight broke out, the robber shot both men and fled.
Chih Ming-kun died at the scene while his son died in hospital the following day.
The Taiwanese family had run the well-known Linda Wholesale Warehouse for several years, selling souvenirs and T-shirts to vendors who resold them to tourists from street carts.
Both dead men were very well-liked and respected by other shop keepers in the area, who erected a makeshift memorial of flowers and signs outside the warehouse.
On hearing of the arrest of the alleged gunman last night, one man said: “I am glad they caught him. Now him and his partner should pay dearly.”
“Washington really should consider initiating the death penalty. It makes no sense why these individuals had to be murdered all because the killers wanted some cash. They should get a freakin’ job and work hard like everybody else does. It makes me sick to my stomach. The killers were cowards,” he said.
A woman at a neighboring shop said: “This was terrible. These were really nice people and made you feel at home in their store.”
Even in a city with one of the highest murder rates in the US, the killings came as a shock and have infuriated local merchants.
In the days since the crime, Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty and Police Chief Cathy Lanier have walked around the area — a melting pot of cultures — talking to shopkeepers and promising increased security.
At some points during their walk, the two officials were booed and people shouted at them to do a better job keeping people safe.
They both promised they would catch both suspects quickly and police patrols have been doubled in the area on the fringe of Capitol Hill — which is noted for street muggings and robberies.
A police officer who saw the security camera video shortly after the crime recognized the shooter and police said from the start that it would only be a matter of days before they found him.
The same officer who recognized the killer was also able to identify the driver of the getaway car from a description given by witnesses.
Police sources say they are confident they will capture the driver.
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