Jeffrey Lee Chung, OC Homicide No. 47: Artists Village Robbery Gone Bad

Jeffrey Lee Chung and a friend left a bar in the Artists Village area of downtown Santa Ana to get
something from the friend's car in the parking structure near the 200 block of West Third Street.

They were confronted by two other men who demanded
their wallets. A struggle ensued, Chung's friend broke free but Chung was not so lucky.

The 23-year-old Irvine resident, who was shot in his upper body, later died at a local hospital.
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Jeffrey Lee Chung

The shooting happened around 1:30 a.m., according to Santa Ana Police, who described the attackers as two male Hispanics in their 20s.

Police said the robbers did not appear to be gang members. Sources told the Weekly's Gustavo Arellano that there was a fight that night at Proof Bar, but it was unknown whether it had anything to do with the murder.

The crime apparently shook up the Artists Village, which the city has tried to market as a safe place to frequent bars, restaurants and art galleries. Other bars in the area Chung could have visited include Memphis, Lola Gaspar and The Crosby.

Some business owners fretted to the Orange County Register that publicity from the shooting could keep patrons away. The police department has responded by vowing to step up foot and bicycle patrols of the area. Arellano, in his food blog post, also called on restaurants to bring back or extend the hours of private security guards.

Meanwhile, the hunt is still on for Chung's killers. Anyone with information is asked to call SAPD at 714.245.8390.


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