Store Clerk Chases, Kills Fleeing Armed Robber

A fleeing armed robber who was chased down and shot to death by a store clerk was identified Tuesday, and police continued to investigate both the robbery and the shooting.

Arturo Vasquez, 25, of Orange was pronounced dead shortly after he allegedly robbed at gunpoint the Hanshaw Liquor store about 10:30 p.m. Monday, police spokesman Lt. Trey Sirks said.

Police hope to present the results of their investigations to the district attorney’s office by Thursday, and it is up to prosecutors to determine if any charges will be filed against the clerk, Yong Kim.

Kim refused to comment Tuesday at the liquor and grocery market owned by his family at 3022 E. Chapman Ave.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Pat Donahue declined to say under what circumstances the clerk might be charged, and said he would wait until he sees the police report before commenting on the case.

“We can’t really give an opinion right now whether it was a murder or not,” Donahue said. “We’ve got to determine the state of mind of the shooter and if the homicide was done in self-defense.”

Vasquez reportedly held up the clerk and ran out of the store. Kim then grabbed a 9-millimeter handgun kept in the store and chased him for about two blocks before firing two rounds, according to Lt. Art Romo. The man collapsed near Pearl Street.

A brown paper bag holding the stolen money and a handgun were found next to the body of Vasquez, who had a ski mask over his face.

Police declined to reveal the amount of money stolen, or whether Kim said his life was being threatened when he fired.

Sirks said the investigation was continuing.