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South Pasadena resident Mingzhi Zhu, who was the sole financial provider for his wife, 8-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter, was shot to death early Tuesday morning while working as an Uber driver near downtown LA, one of two victims in the region’s latest senseless act of gun violence.
The gunman was later cornered and shot dead by LA police after rolling over a spike strip on the westbound 91 freeway in Fullerton.
Mr. Zhu and his wife Qingchao Li left China in 2016 and have been living in an apartment on Pasadena Ave. for two years, said family spokesperson Yuki Cutcheon, president of the South Pasadena Chinese-American Club. They have no other family in the area.
“He was hard-working, gentle, kind, deeply-loving father and very dedicated husband,” Cutcheon said. “The family is at a total loss without him. They are struggling and dealing with this tragedy.” As an example of his character, Cutcheon said, the family shared a story about the time an elderly passenger left $400 dollars in Zhu’s car. “He immediately made sure to reach out and return that money right away. It would never occur to him to keep money like that. He had a lot of integrity.”
Cutcheon told the South Pasadenan News Zhu’s wife became concerned early Tuesday when he did not return home. She got in touch with LA police. Shortly thereafter, South Pasadena Police arrived at the home along with a Mandarin-speaking mental health professional.
Cutcheon praised the assistance of the SPPD and interim chief Brian Solinsky. “They’ve been fully supportive of this family, spent a great deal of the day with them,” bought lunch for kids and reached out to the South Pasadena Chinese-American Club (SPCC) to help the family liaison with the community and the press. Officers understood immediately that finances would be an issue, she said. The South Pasadena Police Officers Association made a donation to help the family.
Meantime, a GoFundMe page, Mingzhi Zhu family support fund & funeral costs has been established for others who may wish to help. https://gofund.me/61563370
“We have a really strong community here in South Pasadena,” Cutcheon said. “We’re neighbors where friends and family come together and support each other, and that’s what we’re doing right now with this family.”
Statement on behalf of the family Tuesday April 27, 2021 6:30pm
Original Report: (By The South Pasadenan News)
Mingzhi Zhu of South Pasadena is reported to have been killed in a shooting rampage that started about 1am in Los Angels early Tuesday morning.
He was 41-year-old. According to police reports, Mingzhi Zhu was shot while driving a Cadillac Escallade near Figueroa and 7th streets. He was driving for Uber and was on his way to pick up a passenger, authorities said.
The shooting suspect was pursued for nearly three hours ultimately ending in a standoff with police after the suspects car was disabled with a spike strip. The suspect was reported to have fired at police during the standoff, then was killed by the police according to reports. The 91 Freeway was shut down at about Raymond Ave. for the ongoing investigation. More on this to follow…..
