Kansas Man Charged with Murder in 7-Year-Old Cold Case of Teen Refugee
Breakthrough in Kansas: Man Charged for 2017 Fatal Shooting of Teen Refugee
Seven years after the tragic killing of 15-year-old December Htoo a Kansas man has been charged with murder bringing a significant breakthrough in a cold case that had long troubled the community, according to the published article of TRUE CRIME NEWS. Luis Samano now 24 faces charges of felony murder and attempted aggravated robbery for the fatal shooting that occurred at the Maple Hill Laundromat in Kansas City. At the time of the incident on November 18, 2017 Htoo a sophomore at JC Harmon High School and a refugee from Myanmar was closing up the laundromat where he worked. Despite the absence of witnesses and surveillance footage the Kansas City Police Department announced the pivotal development on July 18 crediting persistent investigative efforts for the progress. The case took a turn in 2021 when officers from the Lenexa Police Department recovered a firearm that matched the shell casings found at the crime scene. Investigators traced the gun back to its owner who implicated Samano in the shooting.
Kansas Man Faces Felony Murder Charges Seven Years After Killing Teen Refugee
Further breakthroughs came earlier this year when a detective from the Cold Case Unit identified a suspect vehicle linked to Samano who was just 17 at the time of the crime. This newfound evidence enabled the Wyandotte County District Attorney’s Office to charge Samano who is currently serving a sentence for an unrelated offense. Htoo’s family expressed their profound gratitude and relief in a heartfelt statement acknowledging the dedicated efforts of the police and the community in revisiting the case. They described Htoo as a beloved member of his church and school community always smiling and exuding positive energy. The family’s statement highlighted their initial shock and grief especially given their recent arrival in the U.S. and their unfamiliarity with such violent incidents. They commended the detectives for their unwavering commitment which brought a sense of justice and closure to Htoo’s memory offering a glimmer of solace in their enduring sorrow.