Arlington's heart is heavy as it mourns the tragic loss of Tho Tieu, a beloved local restaurant owner known to many as "Mrs. Kim." Tieu, whose life was tragically cut short in an apparent mugging outside her eatery, Pho San Nam Vietnamese Restaurant, has deeply affected the community, with residents continuing to pay their respects at an ever-growing memorial site. Her family believes she was followed before being attacked on the morning of December 29th, as reported by CBS News.
The site outside the restaurant on New York Ave in Arlington is now adorned with candles, flowers, and food, reflecting the outpouring of love for Tieu. "I mean, everybody knew her. Everybody just loved her to death," Herald Harrington, a longtime customer of Pho San Nam, said. Tieu's loss resonates not just with immediate family but also with individuals like Harrington who saw her as a symbolic "mom," especially during his battle with throat cancer when she would care for him at her restaurant, as per CBS News.
The Arlington Police Department, while yet to apprehend the suspect, believes Tieu was the victim of "jugging," a term used for when victims are targeted after leaving a bank. Tieu's daughter, opting to remain off-camera, speculates that her mother may have been followed from Cho Saigon New Market instead, noting the presence of groceries still inside Tieu's vehicle. Police are steadfastly continuing their investigation.
Arlington City Counselor of District 3, Nikkie Hunter, spoke to the need for increased awareness given the shocking nature of the crime and its location in one of the city's most diverse districts. Hunter said, "This should have never happened to her. And I pray to God that justice will be served." Meanwhile, the Tieu family has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral expenses and support the family during this trying time. The campaign, echoing the shock and sorrow of the family, states, "Our mother was the most amazing and caring woman you'd ever meet. She touched so many lives with her love and generosity", as per GoFundMe.
The community's immediate response to the GoFundMe echoes Harrington's sentiment: "I wish we could have given her flowers sooner. If only she knew how much we loved her," he added. As the Tieu family and the Arlington community reel from this tragedy, they hold onto the memories of a woman who was not just a pillar in her family but an embodiment of kindness in the community at large, per CBS News.
