Man To Face Murder Charges In Long Beach Fire Captain's Death

LONG BEACH, CA – Thomas Man Kim is expected to be arraigned July 5. The 77-year-old allegedly shot and killed a veteran Long Beach Fire Department captain and wounded a second firefighter and a civilian after setting off an explosive device at a senior living residence.

Kim was charged Wednesday with capital murder and other counts. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office will decide later whether to seek a death sentence Kim.

Kim allegedly set off an explosive device in his apartment in an effort to kill a female neighbor who lived above him and with whom he had been feuding, according to prosecutors.

Police said a note that was drafted by Kim and recovered at the scene led investigators to believe it was a murder/suicide attempt. A preliminary investigation led police to believe the fire was set as a result of the dispute between Kim and his neighbor, not to draw first responders to the location to ambush them, according to a statement issued by the Long Beach Police Department.

After the explosion in his apartment, Kim reportedly sat at the opposite end of the hallway and fired on Rosa as he made his way down the hall, according to prosecutors.

Related: Fundraiser Underway To Help Family Of Slain Long Beach Fire Capt.

Kim also allegedly wounded firefighter Ernesto Torres, 35, and a civilian who lived in the building, according to prosecutors.

Kim was arrested just after 6 a.m. Monday morning, and has remained in custody since then, according to jail records.

He is charged with one count each of murder, attempted murder of a firefighter, arson of an inhabited structure and explosion with intent to murder, along with two counts of attempted murder.

The murder charge includes the special circumstance allegation of murder while a firefighter was on duty, along with an allegation that he personally and intentionally discharged a handgun that caused great bodily injury and death.

A donation fund was set up Wednesday to help the family of Long Beach Fire Capt. Dave Rosa. Information about the fund is available at www.friendsoflbfire.org/police-fire-memorial, according to the LBFD.

Related: Retirement Home Resident Arrested In Fatal Long Beach Shooting

City News Service and Patch staffer Emily Holland contributed to this post; Image via Shutterstock