What to Know
- Zhengfeng Bo, 67, and Jianquan Bo, 66, were identified as the suspected kidnappers in the July 29 abduction of Shukur Aikebaer, 60, at his Chino Hills home.
- Zhengfeng Bo was killed by deputies at the end of a brief chase after he shot Aikebaer in the trunk of his car.
- Jianquan Bo was arrested and charged with murder and a special circumstances allegation of murder committed during a kidnapping.
- Authorities said they believe the kidnapping was connected to a business relationship involving the three men.
- Jianquan Bo pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Tuesday.
- A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Aug. 17 when a judge will likely decided whether there is enough evidence for the suspect to stand trial.
One of two brothers accused in the kidnapping and murder of a business associate pleaded not guilty to criminal charges Tuesday in a Rancho Cucamonga courtroom.
Jianquan Bo, 66, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment to a charge of murder with special allegations of aiding and abetting in commission of a kidnapping and use of a firearm. The special allegations allow for a potential increased penalty during the sentencing phase.
A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Aug. 17 when a judge will likely decided whether there is enough evidence for the suspect to stand trial.
Jianquan Bo and brother Zhengfeng Bo, 67, were identified as the suspected kidnappers in the abduction of Shukur Aikebaer, 60, Wednesday at his home in the San Bernardino County community of Chino Hills. Zhengfeng Bo was shot and killed by deputies at the end of a pursuit after shooting the victim in the trunk of a car.
Investigators said the three men knew each other through a working relationship.
“This was a calculated act of violence,” San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus said at a Monday news conference.
Prosecutors were asked at the news conference about a possible motive for the kidnapping.
“It’s always very difficult to explain criminal behavior, particularly with something this dynamic and that happened as quickly as this did,” San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson said. “Obviously, there’s been a relationship there… through a business relationship. There’s been some type of dispute, perhaps either decision-making in the business or a financial loss that led to a dispute.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUV5YC9mwc0
“I’m not going to be able to answer that until we have a chance to look into business records.”
In a news release, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said power was cut to the residence and, when Aikebaer went out to check the electrical panel, two men shot and kidnapped him. The shooting and kidnapping were reported late Wednesday night when a neighbor said he heard a gunshot before a man, identified later as Aikebaer, was shoved in the trunk of a car.
A short pursuit ended a few miles away after deputies responded to a report of shots heard. At the end of the chase, home security camera video showed the car stop on the side of a street before a passenger, identified as Jianquan Bo, exited the vehicle.
Based on information available to deputies at the time, there was nothing to suggest anyone was in trunk, Dicus said.
Deputies were attempting to communicate with Jianquan Bo, who got out of the car almost immediately after it stopped, when the driver exited the vehicle, popped the trunk and shot the man inside, Dicus said. Video showed Zhengfeng Bo walk to the rear of the car, open the trunk and shoot the kidnapping victim.
Aikebaer was found dead in the trunk of the car.
At Monday’s news conference, Anderson explained the murder charge against Jianquan Bo.
“We alleged that Mr. Bo knew exactly what the plan was when they went to the victim’s house,” said Anderson. “What was going to be done, participated in, what led up to the death, and that’s why we filed murder charges against the surviving suspect, who was in the passenger seat.”
NBCLA earlier learned that the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department served a search warrant connected to the case at a home in Irvine shared by the suspects. Evidence was recovered at the residence, authorities said.
Anyone with information about the case was asked to call police at 909-890-4904.