In the summer of 2019, the city of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, was shaken by the violent and untimely death of a beloved local business owner. Lisa Oanh Nguyen, a 59-year-old female, was fatally shot on Saturday, July 20, 2019, during an armed robbery at her family-owned business, Steelman Grocery. The tragic event cut short the life of a woman known for her kindness and dedication to her community.
The initial investigation into the homicide led law enforcement to seek public assistance in identifying a suspect who was seen driving a Nissan Altima. The senseless act of violence prompted an outpouring of grief and support from the community, who held a vigil for Nguyen at the grocery store the following evening, lamenting the tragic loss.
Subsequent investigation by the Hattiesburg Police Department led to the identification and arrest of two suspects in connection with the murder and robbery. Tracie Blue and James Tran were taken into custody and faced charges for their alleged involvement in the crime that ended Lisa Nguyen's life.
Following their arrests, the legal process began to unfold. Both Tracie Blue and James Tran were charged with capital murder. In January 2020, Tran chose to plead guilty to the lesser charge of second-degree murder. He was subsequently sentenced to serve 40 years in prison for his role in the crime. Later that year, in August 2020, Tracie Blue also entered a guilty plea for second-degree murder and received the same sentence of 40 years of incarceration. The resolution of the court cases brought a measure of closure to a community mourning the loss of a cherished member.
