Fugitive held in Stanton slaying
A fugitive accused of shooting a man to death outside a Stanton bar in 2005 and televised on “America’s Most Wanted” was arrested in Phoenix and returned to Orange County, where he was charged with murder Thursday, authorities said.
Cuong Viet Nguyen, 27, formerly of Garden Grove, faces one felony county of murder and one felony count of attempted murder in addition to enhancements related to the discharge of a firearm causing death and great bodily injury. He faces a maximum of 50 years to life in prison if convicted.
Nguyen and friends fought with another group of men at the All Star Bar after someone bumped into someone else, according to Deputy Dist. Atty. Ebrahim Baytieh, who is prosecuting the case. After both groups were kicked out of the bar, Nguyen and an unknown friend waited outside for Tri Van Bui, 34, of Garden Grove, prosecutors said. They beat him with their belts, prosecutors said, smashing the buckle into Bui’s head.
Nguyen then shot Bui six times as he lay on the ground, Baytieh said. Nguyen also shot an unidentified man in the arm, he said.
Nguyen was arrested last week at home in Phoenix and is being held at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana without bail.
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susannah.rosenblatt@latimes.com
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