Seeking Justice for Mount Dora Couple

 

On November 30, 2020, a robber confronted and shot Kheim "Ken" Ba Trinh and Minh "Tina" Nguyen as they were closing their store, T & N Market in Mount Dora, FL. Just over a year later, the case is still being worked daily by the Mount Dora Police Department.

The suspect was wearing all black with a hoodie up over his head. He approached Ken back into the store at gunpoint, where he robbed them. Tina begged the gunman not to hurt them, telling him "I promise you, I won't do anything." Sadly, moments later, he shoots both Tina and Ken as seen in the security footage. 

Tina died on the scene, and Ken passed a few days later in the hospital. The couple left behind two children, one who was 18-years-old, and another who was 12-years-old at the time. 

The community came out in force after the the horrible crime. A candlelight vigil was held outside the market, where many came out with flowers, balloons and stuffed animals. Locals described the pair as friendly and always willing to help. 

Police are asking everyone to please look at the video surveillance images and pay attention to the mannerisms of the suspect, specifically how he’s holding the gun, how he runs, how he reacts, and his voice. There is a $10,000 reward for tips that lead to an arrest. Call 800-423-TIPS with any information you may have.

 

Missing Child: Michael Vaughan

Five-year-old Michael Vaughan has now been missing from his home in Fruitland, Idaho for more than four months. Fruitland Police Chief J.D. Huff believes in the probability that the youngster was abducted because the agency has made no headway in ground searches. The police department, FBI, and other investigating agencies have searched thousands of acres and have come up empty over the last few months. They have utilized K-9s, helicopters, drones, boats, divers and foot searches and are following up on every lead.  

On the evening of July 27th, Michael was playing Nintendo in the family's living room, when his father, Tyler Vaughan went to check on his sister, Arya. He went to her bedroom, and ordered a pizza, which took him about 15-20 minutes. When he returned to the living room, his son, Michael was gone.

Tyler Vaughan called his wife, Brandi Neal at work frantic that he could not find their son. She immediately left work and sped home, where she was greeted with a driveway full of police vehicles and neighbors all outside their homes. Brandi Neal searched up and down the neighborhood streets, asking everyone if they had seen her son, while Tyler stayed at home talking to police.

During the initial search on the night of his disappearance, K-9 dogs were able to track Michael's scent from the home to the end of their  street, away from the farm field that is located to the right of the house, but suddenly stopped there. Neighbors witnessed Micheal knocking on doors moments before he disappeared. Neal believes that her son must have gone out of the garage side door which leads to the front yard, then wandered off.

"It's not about anybody else, it's about Michael," Neal has said. She rarely leaves her home anymore, and her oldest daughter, Kira didn't even want a birthday this year with him missing. The youngest, Arya has just begun playing with toys again, some of her favorites being Michael's monster trucks.

Michael Vaughan is described as  a young, energetic, blonde-haired, blue-eyed boy who loves camping, cars, monster trucks and playing in the dirt. On the day of his disappearance, the 5-year-old didn't want his mom to go to work. Neal has said that now sticks with her. 

 

Anyone with any information is urged to contact the Fruitland Police Department at 208-642-6006, extension 0 or contact the department through its tip line at findmichael@fruitland.org. A tip leading to Vaughan’s safe return will be rewarded with $50,100. The reward is available through March 2022.

UPDATE: Lateche Norris found!

 

 Lateche Norris has been found safe, according to her mother, Cheryl Walker. She updated the GoFundMe account page on December 4th, stating:

 She's safe!!! We're no longer asking for donations! The campaign will remain open for now those who wanted to donate to her of free will for anything she may need.  

This is good news! With all of the not so good, and bad stuff, it's nice to hear something good. 

Further,  Lateche's stepfather, spoke publically for two hours on Sunday on a Twitter Spaces account hosted by @Nerdy_Addict. He stated, Norris "never knew she was missing,"
and "she is choosing to stay homeless." 

On Friday, December 3rd around 8:30pm, Cheryl Walker received a text from her daughter. They then drove to the downtown library and reunited. Apparently, Lateche's boyfriend had smashed her phone after the couple got into an argument. The two have a toxic relationship according to the stepfather. The young couple plans to stay in San Diego for now. Lateche does not want to leave Joey, so she is going to stick with him and remain homeless. 

The San Diego Police put out a statement on Saturday evening after speaking with Lateche Norris and her mother:

"Missing person Lateche Norris has been located. San Diego Police Department investigators met with Norris in-person today and confirmed she is safe. Detectives also verified Norris was not and is not the victim of any crime. Ms. Norris thanked the public for their concern and asked for privacy. The San Diego Police Department thanks its public safety and community partners for their effort in locating Ms. Norris."