After hours of questioning, Miami-Dade homicide detectives late Tuesday charged a suspect
After hours of questioning, Miami-Dade homicide detectives late Tuesday charged a suspect with the brazen murder of a fifth-grader shot to death during a robbery at his parents’ North Miami-Dade nail salon.
Anthawn Ragan, who turned 19 on Tuesday, is being held without bond on charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder, armed robbery and battery on a police officer. An accomplice has not been identified and police say they will release more information at an 8 a.m. briefing Wednesday at Miami-Dade police headquarters.
A tip led police to Ragan Tuesday, just hours after the heartbroken family of Aaron Vu pleaded for the public’s help in finding the two men who stormed into the Honk Kong Nail salon around 7:30 p.m. Friday, robbed the business and customers, then opened fire as they fled the salon at 14832 NW Seventh Ave., fatally wounding the boy and hitting his father.
On Monday, an hour before Miami-Dade police upped the reward for tips leading to the killers, the father – also shot in the robbery at the nail salon – learned of his son’s death.
“He went into shock,” said Thi Pham, aunt of Hai Nam Vu, who owned Hong Kong Nails. The salon, at 14832 NW Seventh Ave., was robbed by two gunmen who burst in around 7:30 p.m. Friday, taking items from customers and workers, and firing bullets as they fled out the door. One bullet struck fifth grader Aaron Vu, who was hanging out at the salon after school with his parents. Another struck Vu, Aaron’s father.
In-store surveillance captured video of the robbers, one with a red headband and another who had a shirt draped around his face.
Police have said the intent was clearly robbery – the men can be seen leaving with purses in hand – but have not released any more details about the shooting.
Thanks to our twitter friend via twitter.com/ThuyHoActo