Police in Oakland said for the first time today the shooting death in August of an Oakland dentist may have been part of a murder for hire plot orchestrated by her boyfriend, Nelson Chia,73.
Hours later, authorities say Chia killed himself in jail, reports the East Bay Time.
The murder of Lili Xu, 60, had been widely thought of as a robbery with some saying Xu had been targeted because she’s an Asian woman.
“This is not a case about race or hate, “but about greed.”” said Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong.
According to SFist, Xu and Chia were parked in the street in their car when a white Lexus pulled up and shots were fired. Her death drew hundreds to a vigil in honor of the popular Oakland Chinatown dentist.
KTVU reports police took Chia into custody on Thursday. Records also show that Hasheem Bason, 35, has also been booked for murder. It is not known if Bason has any connection with Xu and Chia.
Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley told the East Bay Times that Chia sought financial gain from the killing. Bason would face enhanced charges for lying in wait and seeking financial gain.
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