Published on: October 2, 2024, 12:11h.
Last updated on: October 2, 2024, 12:11h.
A man aged 50, suspected of shooting his girlfriend, aged 27, at the Ameristar St. Charles in St. Louis, Missouri, has been identified as the owner of a top restaurant in the city.
Calvin Hsien Kuang Koong faces charges of first-degree domestic assault, kidnapping, and armed criminal action following the shooting. Koong is the chef-owner of Tai Ke Shabu Shabu, a Taiwanese restaurant that was ranked the second-best dining establishment in the city by Sauce Magazine in 2021.
The victim, a Malaysian national, suffered severe injuries in the incident and underwent emergency surgery, according to St. Charles Police Lieutenant Susan Shields on Tuesday. Although the victim remains in critical condition, she was conscious but unable to speak, added Shields.
Incident Caught on Camera
Footage from the casino’s parking garage captured the couple inside Koong’s car on the second level around 2:30 a.m., with the victim in the driver’s seat.
The video shows the victim attempting to exit through the driver’s door before Koong pulled her back inside, closing the door behind her, as per the police. Koong then moved to the driver’s seat while the woman moved to the back of the car. During this interaction, a shot was fired.
The victim opened a rear door and tried to run towards the casino entrance but collapsed before reaching it.
A witness, Diane Lewis, recounted, “This young lady runs up, and she has blood all over her. She runs up and says, ‘Help. Help. I’ve been shot.” When she approached, blood was flowing down her neck, and everywhere. I applied pressure to her neck.
Koong was unable to drive away since the victim had the keys, so he fled on foot, according to police. The restaurateur jumped over a concrete barrier in the parking lot before being apprehended by casino security.
Confession to the Crime
As per court documents, Koong allegedly told the security guard, “I shot her.” Koong later informed the police that the gun was in the side door compartment. He took it out and attempted to place it on the console, but the victim suddenly panicked and grabbed it. Koong then shot her, and she exited the car and ran, as per the police. He claimed that he can’t recall the details because he was intoxicated.
Koong is currently held on a $500K cash-only bond. Prosecutors argued that he poses a flight risk due to being a wealthy businessman who frequently travels to Taiwan.