Dallas Tai Som, a 22-year-old man from Long Beach, California, was tragically killed on October 10, 2017. The incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. in the 1600 block of East Anaheim Street, near a liquor store. According to the Los Angeles County coroner’s records, Som and three other men were found with multiple gunshot wounds. Som was pronounced dead at 9:47 p.m. at a nearby hospital, while another victim, Danny Bunthung, 21, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The two other victims were transported to the hospital and later recovered from their injuries.
The shooting was believed to have stemmed from a fight that broke out at the liquor store between Som, Bunthung, and several other individuals. This altercation quickly escalated into a deadly shooting. Detectives identified Morris Om, 30, and Savanna Sok, 30, as primary suspects in the case. Om was arrested on October 26, 2017, after being spotted driving a silver Lexus. On the same day, officers obtained search warrants and arrested Tiffany Som and Brenda Sok, who were charged as accessories to the murder. Tiffany Som was not related to Dallas Som.
Morris Om faced two counts each of murder and attempted murder. Brenda Sok and Tiffany Som were charged with one count each of accessory to murder. Despite these arrests, police continued to search for Savanna Sok and his girlfriend, who were believed to have fled to the San Bernardino area. Sok was considered armed and dangerous, and police released security footage from the scene to help identify him and his girlfriend.
In February 2023, Morris Om was convicted of the murders of Dallas Som and Danny Bunthung. The trial revealed that Om and Sok, both gang members, had entered the liquor store at the same time as Som and Bunthung, who were possibly associated with a rival gang. A fistfight ensued, during which Om was pushed out of the store. He returned with a gun and fired multiple rounds at close range, killing Som and Bunthung and wounding two bystanders. Om was found guilty of two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, felony evasion, felony possession of a firearm, and misdemeanor child abuse. He was sentenced to 80 years to life in prison.
The case highlighted the violent nature of gang-related conflicts and the devastating impact they have on communities. The Long Beach Police Department continued to urge anyone with information about the shooting to come forward, emphasizing the importance of community cooperation in solving such crimes.
