Victims’ Friends Stunned by Violence

GARDEN GROVE —  The teenagers first heard the news Monday afternoon like most others in nearby neighborhoods, on TV: Six people had been shot at an auto accessories store in Garden Grove. Intrigued, they drove to the familiar Robotek store, where some of their friends had turned ordinary sedans into ornate, urban chariots.

They didn’t remain casual observers for long.

“Oh, man,” said 18-year-old Tri Dang. “That Tony’s car.”

And there, jutting awkwardly from under a police tarp, were Tung Xuan “Tony” Ngo’s blue and white sneakers with orange laces. Ngo, 18, of Fountain Valley, a recent Bolsa Grande High graduate with an acceptance letter from UC Davis in hand and a bright future ahead of him, was dead.

His close friend, Han Vo, was shot and injured. The two were trying to spend time together over the summer before they headed off to different colleges. They had been friends since they were 8, said Henry Vo, whose son was spared death when a bullet sliced through the front of his neck. They initially planned to attend college together. But Tony picked UC Davis--too far from home for Han, who chose nearby UC Riverside.

The dark-eyed, lanky Ngo wasn’t a rabid car enthusiast, but he liked to gaze at car parts occasionally, and dreamed of souping up his 1993 four-door Honda Accord. The trip to Robotek was in honor of his 18th birthday.

Another victim, Edward “Eddie” Kim of Garden Grove, was being treated for wounds to the abdomen and back. He plays volleyball and video games with equal vigor and plans to attend Golden West College, said co-worker Tara Rotz, 16.

Charlie Kim, whose owns Robotek with his wife and lives in Diamond Bar, also was critically wounded in the shooting.

Kim’s neighbors said he worked hard, but never skimped on spending time with his sons, 9 and 10.

“The father is just great,” said neighbor Michelle Lee, 17.

“He just liked to spend a lot of time with [the boys]. They would ride bikes and go swimming all the time. “