Community Corner
Family Seeks Justice In Lakewood Store Owner's Killing
Family members of In Choe are making a public plea to find the killer of a beloved Lakewood woman.
LAKEWOOD, WA — As an investigation into the brutal murder of 59-year-old In Choe continues, her family is renewing a call for anyone with information to come forward. Choe was stabbed to death during a robbery at McChord Mart October 14th. Detectives are actively working the case, but Lakewood PD said there were no updates as of Wednesday evening. In the wake of Choe's death, three of her sisters visited Washington to arrange funeral plans and get answers. They met with investigators on Tuesday.
According to her family, Choe emigrated from Korea in the 1980s, arriving in Lakewood and setting down roots in 1984. From there, she worked long hours to provide for her family, first operating a video store and a grocery store, then opening McChord Mart a few years ago.
"Basically you have a single mom raising three kids, working 14 or 16 hours a day," said Ken Schubert, a brother-in-law.
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In a heartfelt post last week, one of Choe's daughters reflected on her mother as a foundation of the family who spread endless compassion to strangers.
"She tirelessly worked every day, running our family McChord Mart, to support her family. She was beloved by everyone, and I mean literally everyone. She showed kindness to each and every person that walked through her life. Customers always called her 'Mama' or 'Mama-san.' She was the type of person to feed and shelter the homeless. Or if people didn't have the money to pay for their items, she would smile and tell them to pay next time they come in."
Choe's family says community support has been substantial. A memorial outside the store overflowed with flowers last week and a funeral service over the weekend was packed with people whose lives she had touched.
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Huge memorial to In Choe leads right up to the door of McChord Mart in Lakewood after vigil for her. She was stabbed to death during robbery Monday night. Community still reeling, customer telling me, “She was sweet as sugar,” to everyone.. police still searching for her killer. pic.twitter.com/OLBm4M7Ngi
— John Hopperstad (@JohnHopperstad) October 17, 2019
As the rain poured down, people huddled under a canopy that was set up to protect a memorial for In Choe, a greatly loved mini-mart owner who was stabbed to death during a robbery. They hope surveillance footage from the store will help police identify the killer. KOMO at 11pm pic.twitter.com/JPAiSFfTRb
— Joel Moreno (@JoelMorenoKOMO) October 17, 2019
The family hopes keeping Choe's killing at the top of people's minds will push someone with information to come forward and bring them some closure.
"If we can leave here in a week or so with the peace of knowing this guy was caught, that would just huge," Schubert said.
Police ask anyone who may recognize the suspect to call 911 or submit an anonymous tip through Crimestoppers or the Lakewood PD website.
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