Steven Luong Tang, a 26-year-old man from Los Angeles, was tragically shot and killed on November 23, 2017, in the 14200 block of Gager Street in Arleta. According to the Los Angeles County coroner’s records, Tang had been released from prison just two weeks prior and was visiting his mother for Thanksgiving. On the evening of his death, Tang and his family had returned from a Thanksgiving dinner at a relative’s home in Whittier.
While his mother and another family member were in one part of the house, Tang went to the rear of the house around 8:15 p.m., where he was confronted by an unknown individual. An altercation ensued in the back bedroom, resulting in Tang being shot. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 8:33 p.m.
The investigation into Tang’s death revealed that there was no sign of forced entry, leaving detectives puzzled as to how the suspect gained access to the house. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Valley Homicide Detective David Peteque indicated that Tang appeared to have been targeted, although the motive and the identity of the shooter remained unknown. Tang’s criminal history included an arrest at the age of 16 for the attempted murder of a police officer in a 2007 shooting in the Mission area. Despite the officer not being injured, Tang was sentenced to prison as an adult. After his release, he was living in a halfway house in the San Fernando Valley.
The circumstances surrounding Tang’s murder raised several questions for investigators. Detective Peteque mentioned that they were exploring all possible angles, including whether the shooting was related to Tang’s previous prison stay. However, no concrete connections had been established. The case remained open, with the LAPD urging anyone with information to come forward. Despite the efforts of law enforcement, the case has not seen significant developments, and the suspect remains at large. The community and Tang’s family continue to seek justice for his untimely death.
