Baltimore County Police

Four Men Arrested in July 16 Murder of Liquor Store Owner Joon Kang
Group Responsible for a Total of 16 Liquor Store Robberies

Baltimore County, Md. (October 29, 2009) – Culminating a joint County-City investigation, four men have been arrested by Baltimore County Police and charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy. The charges stem from the killing of liquor store owner Joon Kang on July 16 and the armed robberies or attempted armed robberies of 15 other liquor stores in the City and County. The crimes took place between July 4 and July 30 of this year. Additional charges are pending against all the members of this group. Two other men have been arrested but not yet charged.

The suspects who have been charged are identified as:

* Gregory Jerome Horne, 23, of the 4900-block of Edgemere Avenue, 21215
* Keith Joshua Johnson Jr., 24, of the 2800-block of Quantico Avenue, 21215
* Abayomi Nikomo McKenzie, 25, of the unit-block of Breaker Court, 21221
* Tavon Anton Shuler, 30, of the 800-block of Glenwood Avenue, 21212

Mr. Kang was murdered at about 9 p.m. on July 16, when two men entered his store, Putty Hill Liquors in the 7900-block of Belair Road in Precinct 8/Parkville. One pointed a handgun at Mr. Kang in an apparent robbery attempt and during the robbery one of the suspects shot Mr. Kang. The two then ran from the store.

Charges Pending Against Two Others

In looking at the surveillance video of this crime, detectives recognized the suspects as members of a group responsible for several other robberies in the region. Investigation of an attempted robbery on July 30 led investigators to the arrest of two suspects. Further investigation led to the identities of the other four.

When these suspects were interviewed by homicide detectives, some admitted to their involvement in the robberies. During the interviews detectives learned the identity of the man who shot Mr. Kang. The gunman was accompanied by Tavon Shuler.

From information provided by the suspects, it was determined that all of them took part in the planning, execution, and/or sharing of the proceeds of these armed robberies. During this common scheme, these suspects acted in concert to commit the armed robberies and during one of these incidents, Joon Kang was murdered.

The four suspects charged so far are being held in the Baltimore County Detention Center, with bail denied.

Locations of Armed Robberies and Attempted Armed Robberies

* July 4, 3:34 p.m., Maisa Mart, 3300-block of Eastern Avenue (Armed Robbery, Baltimore City)
* July 4, 4:28 p.m., Parkville Convenience, 7500-block of Harford Road (Armed Robbery, Baltimore City)
* July 6, 3:23 p.m., Lime Tree Liquors, 1700-block of E. Northern Parkway (Armed Robbery, Baltimore City)
* July 7, 6:44 p.m., Pleasant Stop Mart, 3200-block of Eastern Avenue (Armed Robbery, Baltimore City)
* July 7, 11:30 p.m., One Shop Stop, 4900-block of Frankford Avenue (Armed Robbery, Baltimore City)
* July 8, 7:19 p.m., Hamilton Park Liquors, 2300-block of E. Northern Parkway (Armed Robbery, Baltimore City)
* July 9, 9:30 p.m., Gussie’s Liquor Store, 1700-block of Old Eastern Avenue (Armed Robbery, Baltimore County)
* July 14, 2:00 p.m., Good Spirits, 1900-block of Old Eastern Avenue (Armed Robbery, Baltimore County)
* July 14, 10:40 p.m., The Liquor Store, 6100-block of Belair Road (Armed Robbery, Baltimore City)
* July 15, 2:35 p.m., The Store, Wine & Spirits, 6500-block of Frederick Road (Armed Robbery, Baltimore County)
* July 16, 9:05 p.m., Putty Hill Liquors, 7900-block of Belair Road (Murder and Attempted Armed Robbery, Baltimore County)
* July 22, 11:06 p.m., Discount Liquors, 200-block of W. Saratoga Street (Armed Robbery, Baltimore City)
* July 24, 12:37 p.m., Lime Tree Liquors, 1700-block of E. Northern Parkway (Armed Robbery, Baltimore City)
* July 27, 8:22 p.m., McLellan’s Wine & Liquor, 6300-block of Sherwood Road (Armed Robbery, Baltimore County)
* July 29, 7:40 p.m., Charles Village Liquors, 2400-block of St. Paul Street (Armed Robbery, Baltimore City)
* July 30, 11:30 a.m., Hamilton Quick Mart, 3400-block of Hamilton Avenue (Attempted Armed Robbery, Baltimore City)