In the early morning hours of March 4, 1995, a horrific act of violence unfolded at the Kim Anh restaurant in New Orleans, forever altering the lives of a hardworking Vietnamese family. Cuong Vu, a 17-year-old male, was working in his family's restaurant alongside his 24-year-old sister, Ha Vu. An aspiring priest and a dedicated altar boy, Cuong was known for his gentle nature and strong faith.
That night, their lives were cut short in a robbery that would send shockwaves through the city, not only for its brutality but also for the identity of one of the perpetrators.
The assailants were New Orleans police officer Antoinette Frank and her accomplice, Rogers LaCaze. Frank, who had previously worked a security detail at the restaurant and was familiar with the family, entered the establishment with LaCaze with the intent to rob it. The siblings were forced to their knees as the robbers demanded money. In the ensuing moments, a scene of unimaginable terror unfolded. Frank, the very officer who had once been entrusted to protect the family, opened fire. Cuong Vu was shot multiple times in the chest, back, and head. His sister, Ha Vu, was also fatally shot. A third victim, 25-year-old New Orleans police officer Ronald Williams, who was working a security detail at the restaurant that night, was also killed in the attack.
The investigation quickly led to the arrest of Antoinette Frank and Rogers LaCaze. Investigators were able to piece together the events of that tragic night, revealing a cold-blooded crime driven by greed. Frank and LaCaze were subsequently tried and convicted for the triple murder. Both were sentenced to death for their heinous crimes. The case left a lasting scar on the city of New Orleans, exposing deep-seated issues of corruption within its police force and leaving a community to grapple with the senseless loss of three young lives.
