2:01pm | In their continued effort to find the suspects who robbed and killed 53-year old store clerk Sor Phouam, the Long Beach Police Department has released video footage of the incident with a clear picture of a second man who was robbed by the suspects.
Police are searching for this robbery victim, in hopes that he can provide new information that may lead to the whereabouts of the robbery/murder suspects. As detailed below, there is now a $10,000 reward available for information leading to the suspects.
Anyone with information about the suspects or the customer in the store is asked to call Long Beach Police Department Homicide Detectives Roger Zottneck or David Rios at (562) 570-7247.
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4:00pm Tuesday | Rewards of $10,000 each are being offered for information in two separate murders that have taken place recently in Long Beach, including the chilling robbery/shooting of a 4th Street store clerk about ten days ago.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the rewards, proposed by Supervisor Don Knabe.
The most recent incident is the murder-robbery of 53-year old Sor Phouam, a clerk at a 4th Street liquor store who was robbed just before 8:00pm on January 22. Two male suspects pointed a gun at Phouam and when he provided them with cash, the suspects shot and killed him. Police released a remarkably clear surveillance video showing both suspects’ faces, but so far no further developments have been released. They say that few witnesses have come forward so far.
The other reward is being offered for information relating to the August 30, 2010 shooting and murder of 27-year old Long Beach resident Heather Broadus. She was found lying dead on the sidewalk in front of a resident at 347 E. 56th Street, not far from her hotel room. Police have not been able to determine any suspects or motive for the killing.
Anyone having any information related to either of these incidents is asked to contact the Long Beach Police Department’s Homicide Division at (562) 570-7244. The identity of all callers will remain confidential.
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January 31, 7:00am | The 4th Street Business Improvement District is offering a reward of $1,000 as an incentive for information leading to the identification and arrest of the suspects still at large. Additionally, the business group established a “Chip-In” fund to raise funds from individual businesses and the community for the victim’s family.
“Our board of directors would like to honor the life of Phouam and to help his family in what must be a horrific time,” said 4th Street Business Improvement District president, Kerstin Kansteiner. “Collectively, we decided that the best thing we could do as business district was to aid in the capture and conviction of these heinous killers, and to help raise money to give to the family. We hope that with our reward donation, we can help entice anyone with information to come forward. And, with the established Chip-In fund, we can help raise money to help Phouam’s family.”
Click here to contribute to the “Sor Phouam Fund.”
Anyone who may have any information regarding this incident is urged to contact Long Beach Police Department’s Homicide Detectives Todd Johnson or David Rios at (562) 570-7244. Anonymous tips can also be sent via text or email at www.longbeach.gov/police.
Click here to see the video of the robbery.
The images show two Hispanic males in their late 20’s or early 30’s using a chrome revolver and holding 53-year old Sor Phouam at gunpoint. Only a small portion of the incident is available in the video, but authorities are calling for the community’s help in identifying and finding both suspects.
One bystander attempted to leave the store when he saw the robbery but was stopped by the armed suspect. Detectives are asking the bystander to come forward because he may have information about the murder suspects.
The suspects fled east on Cherry Avenue after killing Phouam.
A hotline has been set up for anyone wishing to contact Homicide Investigators David Rios or Roger Zottneck. The number to call is (562) 570-7247. The Long Beach Police Department urges anyone with any information about the murder of Phouam or the suspects to call. Callers may remain anonymous.
Anonymous tips may also be left by text or email at www.longbeach.gov/police.
More to come…
ABC7 video screenshot.
January 24, 11:00am | Detectives are still searching for two suspects that killed a Long Beach store clerk on Saturday night after a botched robbery attempt near the intersection of 4th Street and Cherry.
ABC7.com is reporting that police are reviewing surveillance tapes to learn more about two Hispanic male suspects. They entered the P&B Liquor store on Saturday night with intent to commit robbery, authorities say, and instead shot and killed 53-year old clerk Sor Phouam, a Long Beach resident who had worked at the location for about ten years.
Police are only describing the two suspects as Hispanic males wearing dark clothing. The weapon used at the scene was some type of handgun. Other details are being withheld as investigators continue to examine the incident in conjunction with the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.
The Press-Telegram is reporting that another store clerk was killed at the exact same location in 1994. The killer in that case was convicted and sentenced to death.
Anyone who may have any information regarding this incident is urged to contact Long Beach Police Department’s Homicide Detectives Todd Johnson or David Rios at (562) 570-7244. Anonymous tips can also be sent via text or email at www.longbeach.gov/police.
Disclosure: Long Beach Post publisher Shaun Lumachi is under contract with the Office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe.