(Oct. 20, 2003) -- A 22 year old U.S. Marine -- a combat veteran on active duty who returned from Iraq in July -- was shot to death, and a 21 year old friend was critically wounded, in the 1200 block of East 7th St. (border of 1st and 2d Council districts) shortly after 1 a.m. on Sunday Oct. 19.

LBPD says a male suspect reached over a wooden fence and fired six to eight shots into a group of people gathered at the rear of a residence.

Sok Khak Ung, stationed at Camp Pendleton and visiting family members in LB, was struck once in the head and twice in the torso. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Vouthy Tho was struck once in the head, transported to a local hospital and listed in extremely critical condition this morning.

The suspect, an unidentified male, fled east on 7th St. Police say that according to witnesses, no words were exchanged between the killer and his victims. The motive for the shooting is currently unknown.

LBPD asks anyone with information about the crime to contact homicide detectives Bryan McMahon or David Rios at (562) 570-7244.