Saturday, June 28, 2008

Father of 4 was visiting Modesto for Cambodian new year when slain

By ROSALIO AHUMADA
rahumada@modbee.com

last updated: April 24, 2008 07:59:47 AM

A surge of tips from Modesto's Cambodian commu-nity helped a law enforcement task force find and arrest four people suspected in the shooting death of a 48-year-old Long Beach man who was hit by stray gangland gunfire last week.

Chanthol Ouk, a father of four sons and a former Modestan, was in west Modesto visiting friends for the Cambodian new year when he was shot. He was standing outside using his cell phone about 7:30 p.m. on April 13 when he was struck in the upper body by gunfire. He was taken to a hospital but died during surgery.

Modesto police homicide detectives Tuesday night arrested Sarath Prak, 18, on suspicion of murder, attempted murder and participating in criminal street gang, said Sgt. Craig Gundlach, a police spokesman.

Detectives said they believe Prak, of Modesto, was the gunman. Gundlach said Prak was charged with attempted murder because he was targeting other people when he shot, missing them but hitting Ouk, pronounced "oak."

The gunfire erupted during a fight between two groups of teens or young men arguing by a store on Chicago Avenue and Paradise Road, Gundlach said. When one group started to walk away, the other got into a small gold or tan vehicle and began shooting at them, police said.

Investigators said they believe the confrontation between the two groups was gang-related.

While serving 10 search warrants Tuesday and Wednesday, police also arrested a 17-year-old boy; Sophea Sam, 26; and Michael Sedra, 21, on suspicion of being an accessory to murder and participating in a criminal street gang, Gundlach said.

Detectives said they believe the three, who are Modesto residents, helped conceal evidence and aided Prak and Kao Phompong, 23, of Modesto in avoiding capture.

Authorities on Wednesday night said they were looking for Phompong. Police said they believe he was driving the car when Prak fired the fatal shot. Police said they suspect Phompong still may be driving the small gold or tan vehicle. Gund-lach said Phompong is wanted on suspicion of murder.

Prak is being held without bail. Sedra's bail is $35,000, and information was not available for Sam and the 17-year-old.

Ouk's friend Dottie Vath, 37, of Modesto, said she was relieved when she heard of the arrests.

"I feel better because it gets the people who are responsible for the shooting off the street," Vath said.

Funeral on Saturday

A funeral for Ouk has been scheduled for Saturday in Long Beach, she said.

Gundlach said the Cambodian community rallied to show support for the victim's family and turned to Modesto police officer Ra Pouv for help.

Pouv, who is of Cambodian descent, is assigned to the Modesto police street crimes unit and is an expert in Asian-American street gangs. Pouv has worked closely with the Cambodian community and began receiving information from community members about suspects.

"If members of the community had not come forward or had not felt comfortable talking to officer Pouv, we would probably still be at square one in this case," said Sgt. Scott Heller, who oversees Mo-desto's crimes against persons unit.

Heller said most gang-related cases are difficult to investigate, because people are reluctant to come forward.

"This case was different," Heller said. "Mothers, fathers, aunts and uncles, everyone started talking to each other and gave us information."

The investigation into Ouk's death was a perfect example of how a law enforcement effort can be spurred into action by neighbors who put their fear aside and provide information, said Modesto police Sgt. Rick Armendariz, who supervises the Central Valley Gang Impact Task Force.

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