A renowned Thai musician was shot dead on September 21 during a family celebration in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. The tragic event has left the local community and the musician’s fan base in Thailand in shock.
Nichanon Kittikroekphon, 34, popularly known as Tswb Moua, was killed by his cousin, Lue Chang, 32, during a family gathering to celebrate recent births. The incident took place in the backyard of a residence on the 8400 block of Adair Avenue North.
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office in the criminal complaint stated that eyewitnesses saw Chang seeming upset and conversing briefly with Kittikroekphon before the shooting. Subsequently, Chang allegedly told Kittikroekphon, “Today, you’re going to die,” and fired multiple shots from a handgun.
Brooklyn Park Police Detective Sergeant Dane Olson reported that Kittikroekphon was unarmed and did not pose a threat to Chang. “The victim fell to the ground after the initial shots, and the suspect fired a third shot into his back as he tried to crawl away,” said Olson.
Several attendees of the party were able to subdue and disarm Chang as others dialed 911. When the police arrived, they found Chang restrained by family members and recovered the weapon.
Kittikroekphon was critically injured and taken to North Memorial Health Hospital, where he later died. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office stated that the cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds.
When asked about his motive, Chang allegedly told a witness that he shot Kittikroekphon “because he disrespected me,” according to the affidavit. The specifics of the alleged disrespect are yet to be clarified.
The incident took place near several children, including a toddler who was said to be within a foot of Kittikroekphon when the shots were fired. Fortunately, no other injuries were reported.
Chang was apprehended on the scene and is presently being held at the Hennepin County Jail with a bond set at $1 million. He has been charged with second-degree murder and could serve up to 40 years in prison if convicted. His next court appearance is slated for October 21.
The incident has reverberated through the local Hmong community and the Thai music industry. According to the Hmong Talk Facebook page, Kittikroekphon was a “rising star in Thailand’s music scene” and had recently relocated to the United States to join his brother.
Kittikroekphon, remembered by friends and family as a talented artist with a promising future, had moved to Minnesota for a better life. He and his wife, who had also recently immigrated to the U.S., were expecting their first child.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities are urging anyone with more information about the incident to step forward. A dedicated tip line has been established by the Brooklyn Park Police Department for this case, with assurances that all information will be treated confidentially.
Meanwhile, Kittikroekphon’s fans in Thailand and the United States have been posting tributes and sharing memories on social media, underscoring the far-reaching impact of the tragic event.
