Habitual Offender Sentenced to 45 Years for Double Murder at Houston Restaurant

A 51-year-old habitual offender was sentenced to 45 years in prison for his role in a double murder at a Houston restaurant, announced Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg.

Hieu Trong Nguyen pleaded guilty to murder on Thursday. He was one of three men involved in the shooting at Tai Loi, a Vietnamese restaurant located at 12320 Bellaire Blvd., on October 5, 2022. The incident resulted in the deaths of Hanh Nguyen, 63, and Long Nguyen, 51.

Surveillance footage captured the three men entering Tai Loi and shooting the victims who were sitting in a booth. Investigators with the Houston Police Department were able to arrest and charge Nguyen and Bich Xuan Dang, who also pleaded guilty to murder earlier this summer and received a 45-year sentence. The third suspect remains at large.

Before the murder, the suspects were seen on surveillance video at Café Window, a Vietnamese restaurant less than two miles from Tai Loi, where they attempted to extort $1,000 from the manager. After a confrontation with an armed security guard, the suspects left and proceeded to Tai Loi, where the shootings occurred.

The motive for the murders is still unknown. Authorities are seeking information on the third suspect and encourage anyone with details to contact Crime Stoppers of Houston at 713-222-TIPS (8477).

Assistant District Attorney Chris Condon and ADA George Lindsey prosecuted the case. Nguyen will not be able to appeal his conviction and must serve at least half of his sentence before being eligible for parole.