Parents of Slain La Jolla Youth Sue the Accused Restaurateur

The parents of a 15-year-old La Jolla high school student who was shot to death last year filed a civil claim Friday against the man accused of murdering their son.

Robert and Joan Yokes are asking for compensation from Roger Sing Ip, a Pacific Beach restaurateur who will face criminal charges in the killing of Kurt Von Yokes on June 29.

“If the matter goes to (civil) trial, I would ask for no less than $5 million,” said John Moot, the Yokeses’ attorney. “He was a fine young boy with a great future ahead of him.”

Kurt Yokes, a Mission Bay High School freshman, was shot once in the chest July 10 while returning from a trip to Kate Sessions Memorial Park in Pacific Beach with friends.

According to police reports, Yokes, Michael Endsley, 19, and Debbie Lichty, 18, were returning from the park when a red Isuzu Trooper made an illegal turn and nearly crashed into the teen-agers’ car. The teen-agers exchanged gestures with the driver of the Trooper, and Endsley reportedly shouted “I’ve seen better driving on a golf course.”

The teens drove on to Endsley’s house, where Endsley and Yokes got out of the car. Ip, who had allegedly followed the teen-agers to that point, then shot Yokes once in the chest and drove away, according to police reports.

Ip, co-owner of the China Inn restaurant in Pacific Beach, surrendered himself to San Diego police July 27 after a warrant had been issued for his arrest.

Robert and Joan Yokes are asking for compensation for medical, funeral and burial expenses and compensation for general damages in their wrongful-death suit against Ip, Moot said.

“They felt that it was important to file a civil suit,” Moot said. “It was their feeling that, if convicted, Mr. Ip should receive the maximum penalty under law.”

The family would use any money they win from their lawsuit to set up some sort of tribute to their son, Moot said.

“The family isn’t interested in the money,” Moot said. “All the money in the world isn’t going to bring their son back. They would like to set up some sort of memorial or scholarship fund in their son’s name. They want his spirit to live on.”