Myung Jin Kim spent nearly a decade evading justice, hiding more than 8,000 miles away in Laos before authorities finally caught up with the suspected California killer.
Kim, 31, was captured in the Southeast Asian country and returned to Los Angeles on June 9 after an international manhunt spanning multiple law enforcement agencies. He now faces murder charges connected to two separate killings in California: a botched murder-for-hire scheme in San Jose in 2016 and the fatal shooting of his friend outside a Westminster CVS pharmacy in 2018.
Background
The investigation into Kim's activities began years before he became a fugitive. According to authorities, Kim orchestrated a murder-for-hire plot targeting a San Jose man in 2016. The plan allegedly went sideways when the hitman killed the wrong person instead of the intended target. Investigators later uncovered evidence suggesting the shooting was a targeted attack arranged by Kim.
A warrant was issued for his arrest following the San Jose incident, but Kim had already vanished from the area. Two years later, while out on bail in Orange County after serving time on drug charges, prosecutors allege Kim struck again.
"Mr. Kim's cowardly acts of violence finally caught up with him, despite being halfway across the globe," said Patrick Grandy, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office.
The Investigation
In 2018, authorities say Kim gunned down his friend Christian Kim outside a CVS store in Westminster during a dispute over money. According to prosecutors, Kim allegedly shot Christian six times before fleeing the scene. Another murder warrant was issued, but investigators were unable to locate him.
As investigators dug deeper into the Westminster killing, they uncovered evidence tying Kim to the 2016 San Jose slaying as well. Prosecutors subsequently filed additional charges including murder, attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder in connection with both cases.
The manhunt for Kim finally reached its conclusion when he was located in Laos in December. Officials began coordinating with multiple agencies to secure his return. In May 2026, Kim was arrested after authorities discovered he was using fraudulent travel documents. He was transported back to LAX on June 9 and is currently in custody in Santa Clara County.
Authorities confirmed that Kim marks the first time a wanted fugitive has been returned to the United States from Laos.
"Detectives never gave up on this case, and their persistence, combined with extraordinary support from our law enforcement partners, brought this suspect back to San José to face justice," said San José Police Chief Paul Joseph.
Key Takeaways
- Myung Jin Kim was captured in Laos in May 2026 after nearly a decade as a fugitive
- He allegedly orchestrated a murder-for-hire plot in 2016 that killed the wrong person in San Jose
- In 2018, prosecutors allege he shot and killed his friend Christian Kim outside a CVS in Westminster
- Kim was returned to U.S. custody at LAX on June 9 after being arrested for fraudulent travel documents
- He is the first fugitive ever returned to the United States from Laos
- Currently held in Santa Clara County; will face charges there before being transferred to Orange County
What's Next
Kim is currently in custody in Santa Clara County, where he will face charges related to the 2016 San Jose killing. He will subsequently be transported to Orange County to answer for the murder of Christian Kim in Westminster.
"If you come to our city and commit murder or any other serious crime, we will track you down and arrest you," said Westminster Police Chief Darin Lenyi. "No matter how long it takes us or where you flee to, we are coming for you."
Court dates have not yet been scheduled.