[symple_googlemap title=”Alhambra woman gunned down at hotel” location=”2700 block of West Valley Boulevard, Alhambra, CA” height=”300″ zoom=”16″]
Authorities Tuesday announced a $20,000 reward for information that helps solve the killing of a woman who was gunned down during an attempted robbery at an Alhambra motel, where she was working a night shift.
Michelle Chen was confronted by an unidentified suspect who pointed a handgun at her about 11 p.m. June 2 in the 2700 block of West Valley Boulevard.
“The suspect demanded money, reached over the counter and fatally shot Michelle,” then fled empty-handed, according to a sheriff’s statement. He was in the lobby for less than a minute.
At a news conference Tuesday morning, detectives released security video showing the suspect pointing a handgun at the victim. He was about 5 feet 6 inches to 6 feet tall, with a medium build, and wore dark clothing, including a “dark hooded sweater” and one dark glove.
Security video also was released of a woman of Asian descent who may have seen the suspect leaving the crime scene. She’s regarded only as a possible witness, authorities said.
The city of Alhambra and a local business each contributed $10,000 in reward money.
“All I want is justice for my loving wife,” Chen’s husband said at the news conference.
Her son addressed his remarks to the suspect.
“Why did you have to go … so far as to take away an amazing woman from this world and from the lives of my family?” he asked.
Anyone with information on the crime was urged to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500, or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.