Chau Da Ngo, 59

Chau Da Ngo, a 59-year-old Asian man, was killed outside his home Tuesday, May 5, in the 10400 block of Enloe Street in South El Monte, according to the Los Angeles County coroner’s office. 

Ngo and his wife, Saney Ngo, 55, were attacked by their neighbor, who was wielding a meat cleaver, according to a news release from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Saney Ngo was treated for cuts on her head and released. 

Chau Ngo had multiple sharp-force wounds, and was pronounced dead at the scene at 1 p.m., according to the coroner’s report.

The attacker, Thong Kien Ma, a 32-year-old Asian man, was shot and killed by sheriff's deputies after he allegedly came at them with the cleaver, according to a news release from the Sheriff's Department. 

Deputies were called to the Ngo residence at 12:47 p.m. regarding a report of an assault with a deadly weapon, according to investigators. When the first deputy arrived at the scene, he saw Saney Ngo standing in the street outside her home, bleeding from the head. 

The deputy then noticed the Ma standing in a flower bed outside the front door of the residence. He appeared to be repeatedly hacking at something, according to the news release. 

The deputy moved closer and realized Ma was striking Chau Ngo with a meat cleaver. 

Investigators said the deputy immediately ordered the suspect to stop and drop the meat cleaver. The man did not comply, they said. Instead, he allegedly raised the cleaver and ran toward the deputy, who shot him. 

Ma stopped attacking Ngo but did not drop the cleaver, investigators said. When a second deputy arrived, Ma allegedly charged both deputies with the meat cleaver still in hand, and the deputies shot him again.

Investigators said the second shooting stopped Ma, who was pronounced dead at the scene at 1 p.m. 

The deputies were not injured. Neither deputy has been identified. 

Investigators said Ma was displaying delusional and erratic behavior during the attack. They are investigating whether his behavior could have been caused by stimulant drugs, which will have to be confirmed by toxicology reports. 

Anyone with information can call the Los Angeles county Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

-- Jeanette Marantos