Man Held in Killing in Driveway

A Hollywood man was booked on suspicion of murder Monday after he allegedly shot and killed an unarmed man trying to steal his 1995 Honda from his driveway.

Yoon Ho Song, 26, allegedly fired a single gunshot that killed the unidentified 25-year-old man, said Det. Mike Thrasher of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Hollywood Division.

“You can only use deadly force to protect life, not property,” Thrasher said.

Detectives said they plan to ask prosecutors today to file charges against Song, who was being held in lieu of $1-million bail.

“It will be up to the district attorney whether to charge him with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, or voluntary or involuntary manslaughter,” Thrasher said.

Song told investigators that he heard noises about 4 a.m. Monday outside his house in the 5000 block of Maplewood Avenue, then went outside and saw two men trying to break into his car.

During a confrontation that followed, police said, Song allegedly shot one of the would-be thieves with a handgun. The other man fled, and Song called 911, police said.

The shooting victim, whose identity was withheld pending notification of his family, died at the scene, Thrasher said. The alleged accomplice remains at large, he said.