City OKs Reward in Slaying of Teen

At Police Chief Daryl Wicker’s urging, the city will offer a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for last year’s slaying of 17-year-old Bong “Robbie” Jin.

Calling the act a “senseless murder,” Wicker said the Oct. 5 beating and shooting of Jin was a “tragic act” that demands prosecution.

So far, he said, “insufficient evidence exists to sustain a conviction of those responsible.”

Jin was a linebacker on the football team at Cypress High School, where he was a junior. Friends and relatives described him as an amiable church-going youngster.

According to police, Jin was attacked as he drove his car into the parking area of the Bloomfield Street apartment building where he lived with his family.

Sgt. John T. Schaefer said that two teenagers walked up to Jin’s car and began punching him through the open window of the vehicle.

One of them then pulled out a gun and started firing, Schaefer said. Jin died at UCI Medical Center about four hours later.

Wicker said one person was arrested, but not enough information was available for prosecution.

By offering the $10,000, which the City Council approved Monday night, police hope to encourage anyone with more information to come forward.

City Councilman Tom Carroll said the $10,000 reward will be like a specter constantly following those responsible.

“I want this murderer to know that Cypress will not forget,” Carroll said. “I think we need to do this for Robbie Jin and his family.”

Anyone with information may contact the Cypress Police Department at (714) 229-6642.