HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — An islandwide manhunt is underway for two male individuals suspected to be involved in the robbery on Thursday night of two tourists from Korea, and the fatal shooting of one of the tourists.
Between 7:40 p.m. and 8 p.m. Thursday, police reported, a Korean couple who were visiting the island for a retirement celebration were walking back from Tao Tao Tasi at Gun Beach when they were approached by a dark SUV at the top of the hill in front of Tsubaki Tower.
“At that point, the passenger exited the vehicle brandishing a firearm and demanded for their belongings. A struggle ensued and at which point the suspect discharged a firearm, causing a gunshot wound to the victim,” Guam Police Department Chief Stephen Ignacio said during a press conference on Friday morning.
The victim, a Korean man, was then transported by the Guam Fire Department to Guam Regional Medical City.
“Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries at a later time,” Ignacio confirmed.
GPD is currently investigating and is in search of two male individuals, the shooting suspect and a getaway driver. No other details, aside from a description of the vehicle, were provided, however, GPD is asking anyone with information to contact police dispatch at 671-475-8615 or 8617. Tips also can be submitted to guam.crimestoppersweb.com.
“If anyone out there has any information and anything that you believe may be related to this investigation, please call,” Ignacio said.
“A message to the suspects are: Turn yourself in, because we’re coming after you,” Ignacio added.
The Guam Visitors Bureau is offering a $50,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the suspects, GPD told The Guam Daily Post.
Condolences
News of the fatal shooting first broke Friday morning when a message with information about the shooting circulated on social media.
The Office of the Governor immediately verified the message and stated that Adelup, along with GPD and GVB, would be providing statements following a graduation ceremony for the 1st Park Police Cycle at Paseo Stadium.
After the ceremony, during which Department of Parks and Recreation acting Director Angel Sablan held a moment of silence for the victim and expressed the importance of park police presence in light of the shooting, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero extended her condolences to the victim and his family.
“Today is a very sad, tragic day for the life of a visitor from Korea and their family. But it also is a tragic day for our community … and this is the most tragic experience in the beginning of our new year. It is something that should not have happened and so I would like the people of Guam to extend our deepest and sincerest condolences and sympathy to the family of this victim,” said Leon Guerrero, who spent hours with the victim’s wife after the shooting.
Leon Guerrero further said she called on all law enforcement officers to actively assist in apprehending the suspects.
“I instituted and initiated all of our resources from the most competent people in our law enforcement to seek this individual and to seek justice for the family and to seek this individual to bring people’s anxiety back to safety and security,” Leon Guerrero added.
Victim
Leon Guerrero also discussed her time with the victim’s wife, who was distraught, especially considering she and her husband came to Guam to “experience the beauty and friendliness of our people.”
“At this point, she asked questions of why? At this point I have told her we will not tolerate this kind of crime in our island and we will bring justice and closure to this,” said Leon Guerrero, whose statements were followed by Kim In Kook, the head of mission of the consulate of South Korea in Guam.
Kim, who was part of the panel at the press conference and was with Leon Guerrero at the hospital with the victim’s wife, expressed the shocked feeling he experienced after learning of the incident.
“I was shocked to learn that an unexpected and unforgivable crime occurred yesterday. One innocent Korean tourist lost his valuable life due to this crime,” Kim said. “On behalf of the Korean country and the Korean community, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the victim and their families.”
While also requesting the apprehension of the suspects, Kim said he believed the challenge of bringing Guam to a “safe and attractive place” can be overcome.
“Last year we overcame daunting challenges from Typhoon Mawar. … I’m sure that you could overcome these unbearable challenges we are facing now through our robust partnership. It is my earnest hope that Guam can return to safe and attractive place … through our joint efforts and prayer,” Kim added.
Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio said later at the press conference that the victim’s wife is requesting privacy. Leon Guerrero also stated the widow would like to bring her husband’s body back to Korea so the family can perform a proper ceremony.
Ignacio confirmed GPD is working with Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jeffrey Nine to schedule an autopsy as soon as possible.
“We are working every avenues we can to comply with her wishes,” Leon Guerrero said.
Tourism
When asked what kind of message the death of a tourist may send to potential visitors, Leon Guerrero maintained that Guam continues to be a safe destination.
“I want to assure the people of Guam, a message also to the people in Korea, that we are constantly bringing forth strength and enhancement to our law enforcement, to our policy, our legal policies, so that we can prevent this god-awful tragedy that has happened and we continue to make sure that we provide a safe destination,” said Leon Guerrero, who said incidents such as the one that occurred Thursday evening are “rare” and “not common.”
Former Gov. Carl Gutierrez, who is the current GVB president and CEO, although concerned, discussed ways he is looking to ensure safety, especially in Tumon.
Gutierrez mentioned the park police graduation, as well as GVB teaming up with GPD’s Tumon Precinct and having five police cars at its disposal.
“I think GVB’s going to have five police cars, as well, and make it look like we are policemen and move all over the place. It’s very serious and I can’t say much more than I’m going to clean up Tumon whether it’s the places where people lurk and steal purses,” said Gutierrez, who also discussed the impact of the shooting on the tourism industry.
“We are very concerned and we’ve got to be able to manage the message going out there and figure out how to allay fears of others that may not want to come after hearing this. Our team in Korea particularly … are monitoring and trying to eliminate false or some of the messages that’s out there,” Gutierrez said.
De Soto
Ignacio confirmed the death of the tourist was the first in almost 11 years, since Chad De Soto killed three tourists and attempted to kill 11 others when he plowed his car into a group of pedestrians on the sidewalk in Tumon in 2013 and began stabbing people before he was taken down.
De Soto was found guilty at trial and sentenced to three life sentences, along with additional 25- and 15-year imprisonment terms without any possibility of parole for other charges.
