Korean tourist killed in shooting; Officials say Guam still a safe destination

A man who was visiting Guam with his wife to celebrate his retirement was shot during an armed robbery attempt in Tumon Thursday night, officials said.

During a Friday morning press conference, Gov. Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero said they are doing everything to find the suspects and help the grieving widow.  

“Today is a very sad and tragic day for the life of a visitor from Korea and their family. It’s also a tragic day for our community,” Leon Guerrero said. “I would like the people of Guam to extend our deepest and sincerest condolences and sympathy to the family of this victim.”

The governor, Police Chief Stephen Ignacio, Lt. Gov. Joshua F. Tenorio, and Carl Gutierrez, president and CEO of Guam Visitors Bureau, were joined by Kim In Kook, who leads the Consular Office of the Republic of Korea, and Attorney General Douglas Moylan.

Kook addressed media saying he was shocked to learn of the “unspeakable and unbelievable crime.”

“Guam is a most favorite destination that Koreans want to visit … it showcases natural beauty and safety, not to mention the hospitality of the people of Guam,” he said. “I would like to request (police) of Guam to arrest the suspect (quickly) and conduct a thorough investigation to bring them to justice.”

Between 7:40 and 8 p.m. the husband and wife were walking from Gun Beach to Tsubaki Tower when a dark SUV drove up behind them. A person with a firearm got out of the vehicle and demanded their belongings, according to Ignacio. There was a struggle and the tourist was shot. Help was called and he was transported to Guam Regional Medical City where he later succumbed to his injuries, Ignacio said.

Leon Guerrero said the couple was here with a tour group and they were celebrating his retirement. The governor, who had gone to the hospital, said the victim’s wife wants to bring her husband back to Korea. Ignacio later said an autopsy is being conducted swiftly.

The governor apologized for the event, adding they’re taking actions to “prevent his God-awful tragedy” from happening again.

“We are very, very sorry for this tragic event,” she said. “We continue to be a safe destination. Our government … we are working to provide a very enjoyable and safe destination which we continue to be.”

She added that finding the suspects would mean justice for the victim’s family and also acknowledged it would ease residents’ anxieties about safety and security.

“I would like the people of Guam to work together to get this suspect and perpetrator,” she said. “It is unfortunate because we are a community that is generous kind and loving. And for the individuals who committed this crime I say there will be great consequences when you’re found … because this is something that our community will never, never tolerate. Again, I was with the wife this morning, it is great sadness and pain to see what she was going through. She expressed to me that she loved Guam and that she came here to experience the beauty and the friendliness of our people.”

Tenorio called for anyone with information to come forward.

“We need to be able to bring the culprits to justice. If you know something say something, call the authorities (and) do your part to clean up this island and to bring justice to this family.”

Anyone with information on the incident, is urged to call 671-475-8615 or 671-475-8617.

Gutierrez lauded the governor’s visit to GRMC, saying it is an illustration of Guam’s family-focused community, and adding it “shows that we care.”

“Guam is a very safe place and people love you,” he said.  

He added he is determined to “clean up Tumon.” He’ll do that by, at least in part, holding landlords accountable for vacant buildings where “people can go there and lurk and wait for unsuspecting tourists,” he said.

However, he also remarked on how multiple offenders are being released by the legal system and called on residents to support the Moylan. Moylan didn’t comment during the press conference.

Moylan ran a campaign that focused on being tough on crime and since being elected has pushed against what he’s calling “catch and release” of defendants by the Courts.

“There seems to be some manner of letting these people out into the community. We have to support our attorney general,” Gutierrez said. mbj