Korean American in his 70s commits suicide, found with gunshot through chest

A man in his 70s has taken his life with a gun in the Los Angeles Koreatown neighborhood.

According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, 72-year-old Jimmy Kim, who is believed to be Korean American, shot and killed himself near the intersection of 1st Street and South Manhattan Place on June 22. Kim was found dead in the driveway but not in a vehicle.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), officers responded to a report of shots fired around 1:44 p.m. that day and found Kim. He was deceased by the time they arrived on the scene.

The coroner’s office confirmed Kim’s death at 1:55 p.m. upon arrival. The medical examiner determined that Kim’s death was a suicide and the cause of death was a single gunshot wound through the chest.

Neither the LAPD nor the medical examiner have released further details about Kim’s death, including his motive for suicide or last words.

The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and Korean American nonprofit organizations offer free counseling services and hotlines to help prevent suicide. In addition to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (988), the Department of Mental Health (800-854-7771), the Korean American Family Services (213-389-6755), Kheir Clinic (213-235-1210), and the Koreatown Youth and Community Center (213-365-7400) offer free counseling from mental health professionals to those who are struggling with depression and other unspoken concerns.

BY KYEONGJUN KIM, HOONSIK WOO [kim.kyeongjun1@koreadaily.com]