On January 9, 2001, Byong Sun Park, a 42-year-old Korean American woman, was tragically murdered in Houston, Texas. Her death was part of a violent rampage carried out by her estranged husband, Ki Yung Park, age 54. The incident began at the couple’s convenience store, Stop By Market No. 2, located in northwest Houston. Byong Sun Park’s body was later discovered inside a cooler at the store, indicating she had been killed prior to the subsequent shootings.
Following the murder of his
estranged wife, Ki Yung Park drove to Amko Trading, a wholesale clothing and perfume business located at 9889 Harwin Drive. There, he fatally shot three individuals: Chong Chang, a 58-year-old Korean American man; Chang’s wife, Hyon Chang, age 54; and their daughter, Kathy Chang, age 23. Witnesses reported that Park entered the business around noon and declared, “They murdered my family, and now I’m going to murder them.” After committing the triple homicide, Park turned the gun on himself and later died from the self-inflicted wound.
Investigators revealed that Ki Yung Park had accused Chong Chang of having an affair with Byong Sun Park and of attempting to sabotage his business. These suspicions, combined with apparent emotional instability, may have fueled the deadly attack. Park had reportedly exhibited erratic behavior in the weeks leading up to the murders, including public outbursts directed at his wife. Neighbors and workers at a nearby auto shop described Byong Sun Park as a kind and gentle woman who had been visibly distressed by her husband’s behavior.
No arrests were made in connection with the killings, as the sole suspect, Ki Yung Park, died by suicide at the scene. The case was closed following the confirmation of his involvement in all five deaths. The community was left shaken by the violence, which stemmed from personal grievances and culminated in a devastating loss of life.
