[PHOTO CREDIT: Provided]
[Original Publish Date: 12/01/20]
MOUNT DORA, Florida — ”This is a dagger in all of our hearts” Interim Mount Dora Police Chief Brett Meade said in a press conference Tuesday morning following the murder of a well-known and beloved store owner Monday night.
Minh “Tina” Nguyen, 47, was found shot to death behind the counter of her store, T&N Market, 1345 North Grandview Street, along with Khiem Ba “Ken” Trinh, 56, after MDPD received a 9-1-1 call about a shooting at 8:50 p.m. Both victims had been shot multiple times and Trinh was airlifted to Central Florida Regional Medical Center in Sanford, where he remains in critical condition, Meade said. He has not been able to talk to investigators, Meade said, The store has been a staple in the Northeast community for more than 30 years and is located just a few blocks from MDPD and the quaint downtown area, popular for its retail and dining establishments. The robbery appears to be random, Meade said.
Surveillance video from the outside of the store shows a male dressed in dark clothing, “hooded up” armed with a handgun, confronting Trinh in the parking lot as he put items in his vehicle in preparation to close the store for the evening. The man forces Trinh back into the business where he robs the store and shoots both victims multiple times. The man was seen fleeing the store on foot through the parking with a white bag he did not have when he entered the store, Meade said.
“This is such a tragic thing we are dealing with today because it was so unnecessary,” Mayor Cathy Hoechst said.
Pastor Bobby Rowe led a prayer at the press conference and asked the community to keep the family in mind. A candlelight vigil is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday at the store, Rowe said.
Meade had a message for the community and the suspect. “Collectively together, we will get through this, we will find this individual, he will get the justice he deserves.”
If you have information on the murder, contact MDPD at 352-735-7130.
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Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. Born and raised in Lake County, she is a graduate of Umatilla High School and Lake-Sumter State College. She started her journalism career at LSSC, where she was editor of both student publications, The Angler and The Odyssey. Her professional career began at the Daily Commercial in 2004 where she covered cops and courts the majority of her time there until she left in 2009. Currently, along with being Editor-in-Chief of Lake Legal News, she is the Florida bureau chief for an international media organization. She has made more than two dozen appearances on live national television, including Nancy Grace and the Greta Van Susteren show, along with her appearance on Evil Twins. Contact her with breaking news, tips, and feedback by sending an e-mail to 352Tips@gmail.com. You can also contact us on our Facebook page — and make sure you “Like” and “Follow us” there. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]
