A story for every victim

Chi Shao, 59

Chi Shao, a 59-year-old Asian man, died on Monday, Feb. 15, after he was struck by a car on La Puente Road, just west of Citadel Drive in Walnut, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records. 

Shao was jogging in the bike lane about 5:50 a.m., when he was struck from behind by a 1989 Toyota Camry, said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lt. Steve Jauch. 

The vehicle carried Shao on its hood for several yards until it collided with the brick wall of a house in the 20200 block of Barnard Avenue, Jauch said. 

Shaw was pronounced dead at the scene at 6:02 a.m., according to coroner’s records. 

The man police said was driving the Camry, Haissan Massalkhy, a 36-year-old Lebanese man who lives in West Covina, did not appear to be injured, Jauch said. Massalkhy was taken to a hospital for medical clearance before he was arrested on suspicion of murder.

The coroner has not yet completed an autopsy on Shao, Jauch said, “but based on statements the driver made at the scene, we believe this was an intentional act.” 

There’s no indication the two men knew each other, Jauch said, but he would not discuss Massalkhy’s statements to investigators. Investigators plan to present the case to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office for formal charges on Wednesday, Jauch said.

Shao lived with his family in Walnut, not far from where he was killed, Jauch said. 

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Those wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. 

Contact the Homicide Report. Follow @latimeshomicide on Twitter.

Share a memory or thought about Chi Shao

Before you post, here are some answers to frequently asked questions:

Remember, all posts are approved by a Times staffer. Profanity and personal attacks will not be approved.

  Required
  Required