By Jason Cruz
Northwest Asian Weekly
King County District Court Judge Arthur Chapman found probable cause Wednesday to hold 24-year-old Si Phu on investigation of first-degree murder of 14-year-old Christy Nguyen Phu. Judge Chapman order bail be set at $2 million.
On the afternoon of Sunday, December 6th, Si Phu allegedly burst into Christy’s room and shot her once in the head according to the Seattle police. The reason for his outburst is allegedly due to the fact that Christy did not give her uncle a pair of Air Jordan sneakers. Christy had given him a pair of shoes but they were not the ones that he wanted. He allegedly wanted to sell the shoes.
Si fled the scene and was arrested two days later at a house in Skyway. Si Phu’s father, brothers and a 16-year-old niece all identified him as the shooter, according to authorities.
According to Seattle Police, a search of Christy’s phone revealed texts from Si stating that he would kill her. Si was previously found guilty in a domestic violence -cyberstalking case in Snohomish County. He had a concealed-weapons permit and was known to regularly carry a handgun according to court records. However, he lost the right to legally possess a firearm after pleading guilty to the charge in the cyberstalking case. It was his first criminal conviction.
The probable cause statement from the King County Prosecutor’s Office which argues that the prosecutors have a right to pursue a charge of first-degree murder stated that after threats from Si, Christy and her cousin went into their room and shoved a dresser in front of the door to barricade it, then sat on the bed to fold clothes. Si reportedly kicked down the door and said, “Are you (expletive) kidding me?” then shot Christy once in the head.
An arraignment hearing is scheduled for Si on December 22nd.
Christy Phu, 14, was a freshman at Chief Sealth International High School. (end)
Jason Cruz can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.