Desert Storm Veteran Is Slain at Party

A 22-year-old Persian Gulf War veteran was killed, and a 16-year-old boy was wounded in a gang-related shooting outside a birthday party he was attending in City Heights, San Diego police reported Friday.

Marine Cpl. Va Lee, who was stationed at Camp Pendleton and was a member of B Co., 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, died at 11:28 p.m. Thursday at Mercy Hospital, about an hour after he was shot, the medical examiner’s office reported.

Koua Moua of San Diego was wounded in the neck and back and listed in serious condition at Mercy Hospital late Friday.

According to witnesses, about 10:50 p.m. four to six men “walked up across the street, positioned themselves directly across from the residence (in the 3600 block of 44th Street) and opened fire,” said Lt. Dan Berglund of the San Diego Police Department.

About 40 to 50 people were at the birthday party, and about four or five people were outside when the shooting began. More than 30 rounds were fired, Berglund said. “I’m surprised someone in the house didn’t get hit too,” he added.

Witnesses reported that the killers ran about half a block south on 44th Street to their car, Berglund said.

Most of the people at the party were from Linda Vista, and the gunmen were reportedly from East San Diego, Berglund said. “I think they just took exception to the Linda Vista people being in their area--a territorial thing,” he said.