Fatal Vocational School Shooting and an Arrest

Community Message has been issued by the LAPD Headquarters.


Thursday February 24, 2011 6:57 AM PST

Man Arrested After Fatal Shooting at Vocational School

Los Angeles police officers arrested 22-year-old Law Thien Huynh moments after he shot his vocational school teacher Wednesday afternoon.

On February 23, 2011, at about 4 p.m., Central area patrol officers were called to 1300 block of South Hill Street after receiving information that a shooting that had just occurred at the Coast Career Institute. When officers arrived they saw Huynh, who matched the suspect’s description, standing on the sidewalk outside the school. He was taken into custody without a struggle.

Huynh and 12 other students were attending a 24 week vocational class to become security guards. According to witnesses, Huynh left the classroom briefly and returned armed with a handgun. He either pushed or kicked open the classroom door and opened fire on the 44-year-old instructor, who was standing just a few feet inside the door. Huynh tossed the gun into the classroom and walked out of the building.

The teacher died at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds. No other students were injured and it appears that the teacher was the intended victim. The motive for the shooting is still under investigation.

Detectives recovered the weapon used in the shooting as well as other physical evidence. Crisis intervention specialists from the Office of the Mayor were called to assist the witnesses in dealing the stress and trauma of the incident.

The instructor worked in the security industry and had taught at the school as a side job for three years, according to school officials.

Huyuh, who lives in Gardena, will be booked for murder at the downtown Metropolitan Jail.

The victim’s name will be released once his family has been notified.

Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call Detective Brian Putnam, Central Homicide Unit, at (213) 842-0727. Anonymous tips can be called into Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477), or by texting 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Online tips may be placed at www.LAPDOnline.org , click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.