LA Korean American Board Member Sung Yang Shot Dead; Bystander Hurt

A 73-year-old Korean American woman, Sung Yang, was shot and killed by her live-in partner on August 16, 2025 in Los Angeles. The gunman also shot a bystander who tried to intervene before killing himself, according to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and the LA County Coroner’s Office.

The shooting occurred around 10:30 p.m. near an apartment complex at Pico Boulevard and St. Andrews Place. Authorities said Joseph Lim, 79, assaulted Yang during an argument. When Yang fled while shouting for help, a male driver passing by stopped to intervene. Lim shot the driver, then fatally shot Yang, before fleeing and later killing himself in a nearby parking stall. The LAPD confirmed the bystander’s injuries are not life-threatening.

Yang was transported to a hospital with a gunshot wound to the chest but died shortly afterward. Lim was found dead on August 17, 2025, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Friends and acquaintances said Yang had frequently expressed concerns about Lim’s violent behavior. They recalled that Lim moved into her apartment about two years ago, and since then she had been under severe stress. One acquaintance explained, “After about a year, she began to suffer from financial and personality conflicts with him. She even changed the locks and asked him to leave, but he often caused disturbances late at night in the complex, so she eventually let him back in.”

Yang had served as a board member of the LA Senior Citizens Society since 2023. A representative of the society said, “She worked hard for the group even the morning of the incident. She was gentle and kind but often shared how difficult life was with Lim. This tragedy is heartbreaking.”

Friends also noted that Lim had been divorced three times and worked as a handyman, but did not contribute to rent or living expenses. They added that Yang’s daughter lives in Koreatown, Los Angeles, where she manages hospital nursing staff. Yang’s husband died about 20 years ago.

On August 18, 2025, Yang’s family received her body and began preparing funeral arrangements.

BY YEONGCHAE SONG [song.yeongchae@koreadaily.com]