ATLANTA — Police have arrested a 23-year old man and his girlfriend on charges of murdering a young Thai restaurant owner.
Fox 5 Atlanta reported on Thursday Jarvis Standford, and Imani Burns, 20, were taken into custody on Wednesday in connection with the shooting of Somphot Aromsuk, 34, the owner of the Mai Thai restaurant on Lawrenceville Highway in DeKalb County, Georgia.
Both suspects face murder and armed robbery charges. Police said Burns was an employee of Somphot.
Somphot was leaving the Mai Thai restaurant on Saturday night at about 9 pm when Standford shot him during an armed robbery attempt. His girlfriend acted as the driver of the getaway vehicle, Fox 5 Atlanta cited police.
DeKalb police spokeswoman Shiera Campbell earlier told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Somphot was shot in his arm and torso. He died later in the evening. The suspects demanded the victim’s money and “a struggle ensued” before they made off with a night drop he was carrying.
Somphot’s friends and members of the local community are reportedly making donations through Wat Budda Bucha Temple to help cover expenses in returning his body to Thailand.