An Asian husband has been killed whilst tying to protect his wife during a home invasion in Oakland.
As reported by East Bay Times, an Asian husband and soon-to-be father was killed in a home invasion in Oakland.
51-year-old Hoan Lieu, also known as Harry, was fatally shot during the home invasion robbery at their house in the 4100 block of Carrington Street in East Oakland on 22 May.
At around 9:40pm on 22 May, more than one man burst into Lieu’s house. His 38-year-old wife Kat was sitting on a couch watching TV and Lieu was in a different room. He rushed out to protect his wife but was shot and died at her feet.
The robbers fled and police are currently looking for them.
According to brother Chris Lieu, 42, Hoan was “a hero. He was someone who gave his life for his wife and unborn child.”
Lieu and his wife of 2 and a half years were expecting their first child, Benjamin, due in August.
“You could tell he was very happy and was looking forward to becoming a father and making their life as good as possible,” Chris said.
“He was happy about his future. He was looking forward to it,” Chris added. “He was working even harder after Kat got pregnant.”
Lieu and his family emigrated from China to the US in the 1980s. He sponsored Kat to come to the US, where they married in December 2015.
Speaking about his sister-in-law, Chris said, “you have to meet her to understand what kind of extraordinary person she is.”
Lieu said his sister-in-law, who speaks little English, now lives with him and his family. She still grieves and cries a lot but knows she must be strong for their child, he said.
“You have to meet her to understand what kind of extraordinary person she is,” he said.
Chris said he wants those responsible “to pay the full price for what they did and what they have taken from us.” His focus is now on “my sister-in-law and her unborn child. How I can help them deal and cope with their loss?”
He set up a GoFundMe account to support the family. Over $16,600 of a $100,000 goal has been reached.
“She is welcome to stay with us as long as she needs,” Chris said. “Eventually she is going to want her own independence and to be able to raise her son.”
Police and Crime Stoppers of Oakland are offering up to $15,000 in reward money for information leading to the arrest of the suspects. Anyone with information may call police at 510-238-3821 or Crime Stoppers at 510-777-8572.
