On the evening of July 24, 2024, at approximately 10:30 p.m., an incident occurred outside the Taste of Home Handmade Dumpling Restaurant, located at 10901 North Lamar Boulevard in Austin, Texas. Hao Li, a 51-year-old man, had just exited the restaurant when he encountered 57-year-old Chup Prum, who was on a bicycle. According to reports, Prum brandished a knife and approached Li in what appeared to be an attempted robbery. In response, Li drew a firearm and shot Prum.
After being shot, Prum fled the scene on his bicycle, returned to his residence, and was later transported to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on July 28, 2024.
The Austin Police Department (APD) responded to the initial call from Li, who reported the attempted robbery and subsequent shooting. APD's Robbery Detectives and Crime Scene Specialists conducted an investigation, which included processing the scene and interviewing witnesses. The investigation corroborated Li's account of the events, indicating that Prum had approached him with a knife, prompting Li to act in self-defense. As a result, no charges have been filed against Li at this time. The case was reviewed with the Travis County District Attorney’s Office on August 5, 2024.
However, Prum's family has expressed skepticism regarding the official narrative. They describe Prum as a mute individual who was deaf in one ear and partially deaf in the other. His brother, Chum Prum, stated that Chup was a regular visitor to the Chinatown shopping center, where the restaurant is located, and questioned the likelihood of him attempting a robbery. The family is seeking further information and clarity about the circumstances leading to Chup's death, as they believe his character was inconsistent with the actions described in the police report.
The incident has been classified as Austin's 37th homicide of 2024. APD has encouraged anyone with additional information to come forward, offering avenues for anonymous tips through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program. A reward of up to $1,000 is available for information leading to an arrest.
As of now, the investigation remains open, with no arrests made or charges filed. The community and Prum's family await further developments as authorities continue to examine the details surrounding this tragic event.
