As reported in February, a Fisherman’s Wharf merchant allegedly shot and killed his rival merchants around 8:20pm on January 31st.
The suspect, 56-year-old Hong Ri Wu walked into a shop at 269 Jefferson St. and allegedly shot owners, 30-year-old Qiong Han Chu and 30-year-old Feng Ping Ou, both SF residents. Two witnesses, both tourists, were told by Wu to leave while he then waited for police to arrive.
According to other vendors, Wu and the victims argued with each other daily over the similar items they sold. Wu was reportedly angry over the fact that their wares blocked the view of his shop. A nearby shop owner told the Ex that Wu was “not the kind of person you would expect to take an action like that.”
As the Ex reports, yesterday Wu’s lawyer asked for a suspension of criminal proceedings, as she claims Wu is mentally unfit to stand trial.
Says Wu’s lawyer, Deputy Public Defender Kleigh Hathaway, “I have a doubt in regard to Mr. Wu’s competency at this time,” saying that he couldn’t understand the charges against him or assist in his own defense.
A hearing has been scheduled for June 13 so a judge can appoint a doctor to examine Wu to determine competency. If he’s found incompetent, he’ll be sent to a state mental hospital. “If his competency were to be restored, likely through forced medication, the criminal case would be reinstated,” Wu’s attorney told the Ex.
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