MPD Confirms 76 Year Old Owner of the Gold Corner Market, James Oh, Dies after Injured in Robbery July 4th

“Dear PoPville,

Did you hear about the Golden Market on 15th & Colorado getting held up on July 4th? Apparently the owner passed away. Have not heard anything, and was wondering if you knew about this?”

“Dear PoPville,

I live near the intersection of 14th and Colorado and was shocked to hear that the elderly owner of the Gold Corner Grocery was brutally attacked and later died. I never frequented his store but he was very quiet and unassuming. So, so sad. Surprisingly I have not seen anything in the news about this attack, has anyone else?”

From the Petworth Listserv:

“It is with great sadness that I report the death earlier today of James, owner of the Gold Corner Market.

James (age 77) and his wife sustained injuries during a robbery of their store on friday, July 4th. James had been beaten to unconsciousness, as per my sources, and never regained consciousness.

James’ wife was released from the hospital and is staying with her daughter.

As I learn of arrangements and/or any immediate needs of the family, I will pass them along to you.

The perpetrators are still on the loose….This should be a “wake up call” for us ALL to be more security conscious.

On another note, I just visited with Mrs. Fleming (owner of Soap City USA). She has been the victim of petty theft as of late. She stated that a young man had opened her soda machines on several occasions…..WITH A KEY…..and has gotten away with the money. Last wednesday was the most recent occurrence. Mrs. Fleming happened to walk into to her business, and witnessed the thief moving away from the soda machine and exiting the back door. She started to follow him and said, “Excuse me, I’d like to speak to you”. At that point, the individual started to run. Mrs. Fleming briefly pursued him (being the 78 year old bundle of energy that she is). The chase was then taken over by a passerby who chased the thief down Longfellow Street, then south on 13th Street. The thief then jumped into a southbound car on 13th Street (with someone else driving) and sped away. Luckily, the gentleman who was in pursuit was able to capture a mobile phone photo of the car (complete with license plate #) as it sped away……

James and his wife, along with Mrs. Fleming, were/are immigrants from other countries (Korea and Jamaica respectively), who came here to live out the “American Dream”. It is unfortunate, that they had to/ must endure these kind of hardships, ESPECIALLY given the fact that they are Senior Citizens.

Please keep James’ family in your thoughts/prayers…..”

UPDATE from MPD:

“Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department are investigating a homicide and an armed robbery of an establishment which occurred in the 5500 block of Colorado Avenue, Northwest.

On Friday, July 4, 2014, at approximately 5:19 pm, members from the Fourth District responded to a call for a robbery in progress in the 5500 block of Colorado Avenue, Northwest. Upon arrival, they located an adult male semi-conscious and suffering from head trauma. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel responded and transported the victim to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. The decedent was subsequently transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the District of Columbia where an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause and manner of death.

The decedent has been identified as 76-year-old James Oh of Rockville, Maryland.

The Metropolitan Police Department seeks the public’s assistance in identifying two persons of interest in this incident. The suspects left the scene in a black Jeep Cherokee with DC tags DP 6033. The vehicle, which was stolen on July 4, 2014, has since been recovered. The suspects are described below:

Suspect One: Black male. He was wearing a red hooded sweat shirt and mask.

Suspect Two: Black male. He was wearing a gray hooded sweat shirt and mask.”