Denver police arrest 4 suspects in Ma Kaing shooting death

Police in Denver have arrested four suspects in the shooting death of businesswoman Ma Kaing. Kaing was killed July 15 outside her apartment complex while she was unloading her groceries from her car.

Three of the suspects have been identified as Pa Reh, 20, Nu Ra Ah La, 22, and Lu Reh, 22. They are facing first-degree murder charges with extreme indifference, attempted first-degree murder with extreme indifference, and illegal discharge of a firearm.

Reh was already in custody in the Arapahoe County Jail on unrelated charges when the charges against him in Kaing's death were announced. Nu Ra Ah La was arrested in Denver on Aug. 29 and Lu Reh was arrested in Aurora on Aug. 29.

Police located and arrested a fourth suspect, identified as Swa Bay, 19, in Byers shortly after the news conference on Tuesday. He was apprehended by the DPD Fugitive Task Force, with the help of Adams County Sheriff and Colorado State Patrol. During the news conference, detectives said that Bay had indicated that he would turn himself in to authorities but had not done so by 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. Bay is alleged to have discharged a firearm during the July 15 shooting incident.

"They are known to be in that area and are associated with that area there," said Matt Clark, commander of the major crimes division for Denver police.

Detectives said that the suspects were in New Freedom Park when they watched a vehicle driving around the park that they didn't believe should be there. That's when police said that they started firing multiple rounds.

Investigators believe one of those rounds struck Ma Kaing as she was unloading groceries at her home at an apartment building, Hidden Brook Apartments, on 1313 Xenia Street.

"The night before somebody came through here shooting at the park," said Tanisha Lintz, who was a friend and neighbor to Ma Kaing.

Officers recovered more than 3 dozen shell casings from the area after the shooting.

Police announced they are hoping to identify another suspect connected to this case in addition to the four already mentioned.

"We do believe there is another individual who is involved in this case who discharged a firearm who we have not identified. Work is being done to identify this individual and once that is done we will work to obtain an arrest warrant and take that person into custody," said Matt Clark, commander of the Denver Police Department's Major Crimes division.

He would not comment on discussions with the suspects but as to whether he believed they realized what they had done he said, "I think they do now. Do I think they understood what they did, I think they did not realize. They may or may not have realized what was in their backdrop. And they just indiscriminately fired over three dozen rounds in that direction."

Since Kaing's death, some mobilization has come for the residents living around the New Freedom Park area. Denver has installed more lights and surveillance cameras. They've also looked at response times in the area. 

Kaing's son, Kyaw Lwin Oo released this statement in relation to the arrests of the suspects: "I'm not comfortable speaking to the media and hope for that to be respected. Also, out of respect to the police investigations, I will not be making any statements."

Neighbors say the loss of Ma Kaing has left a hole in their hearts. "She did everything possible for everybody here," said Lintz.

Kaing's son, Kyaw Lwin Oo released this statement in relation to the arrests of the suspects, that he preferred not to comment directly to the media. But Clark shared some of what he wanted shared, saying,  "I hope that gang members look at these situations and make changes in their lives. Stop terrorizing people. I hope  that families will look at this situation and pay attention to their kids.  I hope there are less bad people in this world so these tragedies do not happen, so families do not lose loved ones. These people should be ashamed of themselves."