Grocer Ordered Tried in Slaying of Girl, 17

A Highland Park grocer must stand trial in the slaying of a high school girl he allegedly shot after catching one of her friends trying to steal a beer, a judge has ruled.

Prosecutors have enough evidence to proceed with the case against Jo Won Kim, Los Angeles Municipal Judge Glenette Blackwell ruled Tuesday after a preliminary hearing.

Kim, 51, is accused of fatally shooting Franklin High School senior Brenda Hughes on Nov. 21 as the car in which she was riding drove away from Henry’s Market.

Hughes, 17, had waited in the car while three of her teenage friends went into the store to buy cigarettes, investigators said. Videotape from a surveillance camera in the store shows Kim stopping one of the boys, who had a beer tucked inside his jacket.

After making the boy give up the bottle, Kim allegedly followed the trio and began firing a pistol at the car as they drove away. Hughes, who was in the back seat, was struck by a bullet.

Kim is accused of murdering the girl and attempting to murder her four friends.

A lawyer for Kim said the store had been plagued by shoplifters and violent gang members for several years and that Kim’s actions were sparked by irrational fear.