Asian Business Owner's Murder Latest in Crimes Against Community
Shooting could be linked to similar incidents
Getty Images
A 61-year-old Asian man was shot and robbed Friday night about a half block from the dry cleaners shop that he owned.
Police are still looking into the shooting, which could be related to several other incidents targeting Asian Americans in Philadelphia.
Kyuong Jo Ha, also known as Joseph Ha, had just closed up his laundry shop when he was shot several times near the intersection of Chew and Lawrence Streets in Olney, police said.
Since November, police have investigated 15 cases in which organized criminals targeted Asian American business owners, according to Philly.com. In January, police held a meeting with the FBI and Asian American community outreach groups to ask them to spread the word about reporting crimes to the police and to call 911 if they feared they were being followed.
Police say, whether it's true or not, some suspects believe that Asian American business owners carry large sums of money or stash cash in their homes because they don't use banks.
Ha, a retired pastor, leaves behind a wife, son and daughter.
Posted Friday, Jul 17, 2009 - 9:15 PM EST
