outside Tukwila residence

A Tukwila man was shot to death Jan. 8 in the parking outside his apartment complex.

Hong Nguyen, 36, and his wife had just arrived home when the suspect who shot Nguyen confronted them in the parking lot in the 3400 block of South 144th Street.

His wife was not hurt.

The suspect fled the area on foot.

Tukwila police do not believe the shooting was a random incident.

Medics from the Tukwila and SeaTac Fire Departments and Medic One administered emergency care to the Nguyen but he died at the scene.

Investigators had not released a description of the suspect late last week.

Police were still looking for the suspect.

Crimestoppers reward

The King County Sheriff's Office and the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office have made no arrests in connection with the 2006 homicide of Nicole Pietz, but the case remains open and under active investigation.

Pietz's body was found on Feb. 6 in Burien. Her 2003 Volkswagen Jetta was found in the University District about two weeks later.

She was last seen at her home in Lynnwood on Jan. 27.

CrimeStoppers is offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest or charges in the case. Callers can remain anonymous.

Anyone who has information on the crime should call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-CRIME-13.

Grave vase theft charges

Leon Keith Chartier, 35, and Mark Allen Hyler, 45, were charged last week in connection with the theft of brass grave vases from Washington Memorial Park in SeaTac and other funeral homes.

The two were accused of trafficking in stolen property in the second degree.

They allegedly stole the vases from three funeral homes and sold them to recycling centers.

Arraignment was set at the King County Courthouse for Jan. 18.

Compiled by Ralph Nichols