From WSVN
(Left to right) Judge Yvonne Colodny and Anthwan Ragan
MIAMI — A judge has denied bond to a man police arrested in connection to the fatal shooting of a 10-year-old boy inside a nail salon. A second subject remains on the loose.
Wednesday afternoon, Thi Pham, the great aunt of the victim, Aaron Vu, spoke of the family’s mixed feelings following news of the arrest. She addressed the press outside Jackson Memorial Hospital, where, she said, the boy’s father was undergoing surgery for his wounds from the shooting. “We want to thank you, the community, the hospital staff and the media for your continued support in finding justice for Aaron. Our thoughts when we heard the news of the captured suspect was happy, relief, a little sense of closure. We are hoping the second arrest will come soon, so we can move forward.”
Anthwan Ragan, 19, faced a judge in court Wednesday where he was denied bond.
Police said Ragan is one of two robbers who stormed into Hong Kong Nail Salon off of Northwest Seventh Avenue and 148th Street. Investigators said he fatally shot Vu and injured his father, Hai Nam Vu who owns the salon.
A tip led detectives to the home of Ragan’s sister, where they found him hiding under some bed sheets.
Outside the courtroom, a woman holding an infant who claimed to be the mother of Ragan’s child, commented on his arrest Tuesday, which happened on his 19th birthday. “He didn’t tell me nothing. I believe he don’t have nothing to do with that,” she said.
Earlier that morning, Miami-Dade Police held a news conference regarding the arrest. “As an agency, we’re pleased to announce the arrest of the shooter in the murder of Aaron Vu,” said Miami-Dade Police Director J.D. Patterson. “Last night, our detectives arrested Anthwan Ragan.”
Miami-Dade Police also announced they have charged Ragan in another armed robbery that occurred earlier this month at Arnold’s Royal Castle, located at 12490 NW 7th Ave. “Mr. Ragan has also been charged with a robbery that occurred in North Miami on Nov. 9, where he used a gun also in that robbery,” said Patterson.
The community gathered on the scene of the shooting Tuesday night for a candlelight vigil to honor the innocent victim. “My deepest gratitude to all the people of this community,” said Aaron’s great aunt Thi Pham.
Hai Nam Vu remains at Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center recuperating from a wound to his shoulder. With his wife by his side, Vu spoke to the public for the first time while still recovering at the hospital. “Why? Why did this have to happen? Why couldn’t it just been me?” said Vu, holding back tears.
“They killed an innocent child. No family should have to go through such pain,” he added.
Police continue to search for Ragan’s accomplice, who was seen on surveillance with his face covered. “We’re not done with this case yet,” said Patterson. “We still need the input from the community that relates to the second subject. We are not going to stop looking for him.”
Read the full story from WSVN.
