After more than two decades on the run, a man accused of a brutal murder in Flushing has been brought back to New York to face justice. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced the extradition of Ho "Alex" Shin from South Korea, where local authorities arrested him last December. Shin, now 43, is charged with the 2002 stabbing death of 22-year-old Hyun Dae Kim, as well as the attempted murder of another man in an apartment they had visited after a night out. The case has hung unresolved for years, with Shin allegedly fleeing the United States shortly after the crime occurred.
The Queens District Attorney's Office detailed that on January 6, 2002, the victims and the defendant were part of a group that had gone to a female friend's apartment in the early hours of the morning. Following a brief exit from the apartment, Shin supposedly called a co-defendant, instructing them to bring knives. They then re-entered the apartment and commenced the attack over what was perceived as a previous slight. While Hyun Dae Kim succumbed to his wounds, the second victim survived his injuries. Investigators later learned that Shin had openly told acquaintances about the stabbing before he vanished.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz underscored the tireless efforts to bring Shin to account, stating, "As alleged, 24 years ago, this defendant unleashed a brutal and senseless attack inside a Flushing apartment, repeatedly stabbing two young men and taking one of their lives. He then almost immediately fled the country in an attempt to evade accountability. No matter how much time passes, we do not give up on our victims and their families," as mentioned on the Queens District Attorney's Office. The long arc of justice has finally seemed to bend toward accountability with Shin's return to the United States.
The original investigation was conducted by Detective Steven Brown of the 109th Detective Squad, and Detective Annamari Bernagozzi of the NYPD’s Cold Case Squad played an instrumental role in the recent developments that led to Shin's apprehension. The Extraditions Unit, led by Section Chief Timothy McGrath, was pivotal in working with international partners to secure the extradition. As Assistant District Attorney Gabriel J. Reale takes the helm in prosecuting the case, Queens residents look on, reminded of a tragedy from their past now back in the light of present-day legal proceedings.
Shin faces two counts of murder in the second degree, attempted murder in the second degree, among other related charges. If convicted, he could be sentenced up to 50 years to life in prison. Justice Jessica Earle-Gargan has remanded Shin until his court appearance, slated for February 17.
