Search for shooter continues after SW Houston restaurant owner's murder
HOUSTON -- The search is underway for the man who shot and killed a restaurant owner during a robbery inside his business in southwest Houston.
Tuesday night, loyal customers left candles and flowers outside Wahoo's Fish and Wings on the corner of Fondren and W. Airport. The victim, identified by his wife as Tri Nguyen, 35, was a few feet inside when he was killed. The customers remember him as kind and generous.
"If you didn't have enough money to get want you wanted, he would still sit back and give you food," said one customer. "Then, when you pay for your orders and stuff, he would give you extra stuff. He took care of the community."
Police say an armed, masked suspect walked into the restaurant and demanded money. Nguyen pulled out his own gun, but the robber fired first. Investigators released surveillance video showing the suspect approaching the business with his hand on a gun inside his pocket. He is wearing tan pants and a dark hooded sweatshirt. Police hope his distinct blue shoes will help lead to his identity.
The deadly shooting happened around 1pm. Family and friends quickly gathered at the crime scene in disbelief. An officer tried to comfort Nguyen's grieving mother.
"There's nothing like hearing a mom's wail. Very traumatic," said Tracie Salyer, a family friend.
Salyer told Eyewitness News Nguyen was recently and had a stepson.
"How much money is worth a person's life?" customer Victoria Onwuka said.
Anyone with information is urged to call HPD homicide division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
