Police Seek Slayer of Store Owner

Los Angeles and Orange county authorities Friday were looking for the killer of Truman Jue, a Huntington Beach resident who owned Crown Drugs, a popular drugstore in Carson.

Jue, 43, owner of the store for 16 years, was shot to death Tuesday in the garage of his home by someone who apparently had been waiting to rob him, authorities said.

At Crown Drugs on Friday, the manager, who declined to be identified, said: “The community wants the police to do something in a hurry. Let’s put it this way . . . there isn’t anything (Jue) wouldn’t do for people in the community.”

In addition to filling prescriptions and selling over-the-counter drugs, Jue cashed paychecks and welfare checks as a service to his customers, the manager said.

“He wasn’t doing it for the money.”

The shooting took place as Jue made a second trip to the garage while carrying business receipts and money into his townhouse in the 8400 block of Sweetwater Lane about 9:45 p.m. Tuesday.

Huntington Beach police Lt. Ed McErlain said Jue was confronted by a gunman in his garage, was shot once in the chest and died at the scene.

“We believe he was followed home that night or the previous night,” McErlain said.

Jue’s wife and two children, who were inside the house, were unharmed and called police when they heard the gunshot, McErlain said.

Apparently the family did not see the gunman before he fled, police said. Police speculate that the killer may have run away after firing the gun, leaving untouched “several thousand dollars” in drugstore receipts.

“The apparent motive was robbery, but no money was taken,” McErlain said. Witnesses told police that they saw an older-model, light-colored station wagon leaving the area shortly after the shooting, but they could not describe the man or the car, McErlain said.

Huntington Beach police request that anyone with information call (714) 536-5951 or (213) 969-2272.