two shot dead in d.c. store robbery

Rough news out of D.C. about an armed robbery and shooting last week that claimed the lives of a wholesale store owner, 59-year-old Ming-Kung Chih, and his son, 32-year-old Li-Jen Chih: Fatal shootings send wave of grief, dread through D.C. businesses.

Ming-Kun Chih, 59, died Wednesday at the scene of the 3 p.m. armed robbery, his wholesale store in the 1200 block of Fifth Street NE. His son, Li-Jen Chih, 32, was taken to a hospital, where he died, D.C. police said Thursday.

The shootings followed a fatal daytime robbery June 18 at a check-cashing store in the 2500 block of Benning Road NE. That armed robbery at 10:45 a.m. left one employee dead of a gunshot wound, and a second man was seriously beaten, police said.

In a row of wholesale stores with merchandise as diverse as the neighborhood, Lida's Wholesale had become a fixture.

It was owned and operated by a Korean family described as friendly and good-humored. The family sold touristy knickknacks and clothing items, and the business had been on the corner for at least 15 years, neighboring vendors said.

The shooting has sent a shock through the neighborhood's businesses, which make up what sounds like a really interesting cultural melting pot... but has also seen an increase in crime. More here: Father, Son Gunned Down Defending Their NE Business.