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Man arrested on murder charge in Fort Worth shooting after 'minor crash'

The shooting happened in August after a "minor accident" on a Fort Worth roadway led to an argument, police said.

FORT WORTH, Texas — Fort Worth police have arrested a man on a murder charge in a fatal shooting in August after a "minor accident" led to an argument. 

Police confirmed to WFAA on Thursday they had arrested 28-year-old Markynn Dmorous West in connection to the shooting death of 43-year-old Chin Il Shin.

The shooting happened at approximately 2:30 a.m. on Aug. 15 at the intersection of South University Drive and the Interstate 30 entrance ramp, police said.

At the time of the shooting, police said the crash involved a Jeep, driven by Shin, and a sedan carrying a driver and two passengers.

Credit: Family photo
Chin "Jin" Shin

An arrest affidavit revealed more information on the events that occurred after police reviewed surveillance cameras.

The affidavit stated as the three people talked with Shin outside on a median, another vehicle, a white Chrysler 300, arrived and appeared to "box in the Jeep." Two men, one of them being West, got out of that vehicle and joined the group talking with Shin.

According to the affidavit, a total of six people had now gathered around Shin near his Jeep. Another vehicle, a brown Infinity, arrived and another male got out of that vehicle and joined the group surrounding Shin. A Ford Fusion then arrived with another male.

At some point, one of the males in the group punched Shin in the back of the head and that Shin then walked away and was pursued by another male, according to the affidavit. 

The affidavit stated Shin tried to get back into his Jeep but was stopped multiple times. 

As one of the males grabbed the keys from Shin's Jeep, Shin was able to open his front passenger door and walk away "with something in his hands," according to the affidavit.  

The affidavit stated Shin moved across the street with a handgun in hand, away from "8 individuals that had deprived him of access to his Jeep."

During this, the affidavit stated West opened the trunk of the Chrysler 300 and pulled out a handgun.

According to the affidavit, Shin began walking toward the vehicles with the handgun pointed down and as he approached his Jeep, West appeared with a handgun.

The affidavit stated West fired multiple shots and that Shin ran around to the passenger side of the vehicles, with West pursuing him. West fired more shots at Shin, the affidavit stated.

According to the affidavit, Shin then ran east, away from the scene and the view of the surveillance cameras. He was later found lying on a median.

Victim's friends call for justice

Angela Nguyen, one of Shin's close friends of more than 10 years, said the news of his murder has been a difficult shock to process.

"I just cant believe that happened to my friend," Nguyen said. "He was kind, he always thought about others."  

Shin, who owned Encore Family Karaoke in Dallas, was well-known in the Asian-American community. Nguyen told WFAA he helped other business owners recover after the pandemic and helped various charities. 

"Jin wasn’t supposed to be that person that would be gone this soon," Nguyen said.

Another close friend, Nikki Senephoumy, told WFAA one arrest isn't enough.

"We want justice," Senephoumy said. "I miss being able to talk to him. I could call him in the daytime, night time, early morning, he’s always available to help."  

That's why his murder brings so many questions. 

"Why?" Nguyen said. "But in the end, will any answer satisfy and fill this void that’s left with us?"  

The initial police report had described the incident as a "justifiable homicide."

West's bond has been set at $100,000.

A GoFundMe account has been set up to help Shin's family cover funeral costs. If you would like to donate, click here.

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