‘Scar in my heart forever.’ Hmong community, family react to arrests in fatal shootings
Family members of victims killed in a November mass shooting in Fresno shared relief, grief and fear following an announcement Tuesday by Fresno police that suspects were arrested in that slaying.
Famous Hmong singer Xy Lee was among four men killed Nov. 17 in the backyard of a home near Fresno Yosemite International Airport.
“The loss of my brother Xy will be a scar in my heart forever,” Kou Lee said following the police news conference announcing the arrest of six suspects. “It will not fix anything.”
Lee’s sister, Kaonor Lee, watched the news conference live from her family’s Fresno home. She said she is happy police made arrests, but expressed concern about what is still unknown, including an outstanding person of interest.
“I feel like I’m very, very nervous at the moment because I want to know very bad who they are and why would they do that to my brother,” Kaonor Lee said, “and I want to know the truth. Why would they do that to my brother and his other friends?”
The three others killed in the shooting were Kalaxang Thao, Phia Vang and Kou Xiong. They were buried in December following traditional Hmong funeral services.
Community activist Paula Yang, who previously served as an interpreter for some victims’ families, said many family members were afraid to speak with media Tuesday out of fear of retaliation.
The arrest announcement comes in the midst of Hmong New Year celebrations, where thousands descend on the Fresno Fairgrounds for a week of festivities.
At the event Tuesday, several people said they were relieved to hear Fresno police arrested the suspected shooters.
“I was a little scared to come to Fresno for the New Year celebration; I didn’t know if there would be trouble here,” said Mee Lao of Sacramento. “But I took a chance and came anyway, and everything has been very safe.”
News of the killings traveled swiftly through the Hmong community as people speculated on the motive for the shooting, Lao said.
“Many people said it was gang related,” she said.
Wa Lee, 23, of Fresno and his girlfriend Skyly Vang, 20, said they didn’t worry about the shooting as much as their parents.
“They wanted us to just stay home, because they were afraid something might happen to us,” Lee said. “But now that the police have made arrests, things are starting to cool down.”
This story was originally published December 31, 2019 at 3:03 PM.
