Alleged Murderer of Arcadia Teenagers Agrees to Extradition From Hong Kong; Students at Arcadia High Hold Vigil for Fellow Students

Emotions ran high at the vigil for the slain Lin brothers Monday night at AHS- -Photo by Terry Miller

By Terry Miller

Approximately 500 people attended a peaceful vigil at Arcadia Performing Arts Center Monday night, Jan. 25. The wake honored the lives of two fellow students who were allegedly bludgeoned to death by their uncle Thursday night, Jan. 21. Candles in the shape of hearts adorned the ground where school authorities gave brief speeches about the loss of the Lin brothers.

A man accused of killing his two teenage nephews in their Arcadia home and then fleeing the country was arrested in Hong Kong, according to L.A. Sheriffs’ Department and the FBI.

Photo by Terry Miller

Deyun Shi, 44, was arrested at the Hong Kong International Airport after arriving on a Cathay Pacific flight from Los Angeles, the FBI said.

Shi was named as a suspect after his two nephews, ages 15 and 16, were found murdered inside their home on Jan. 22 in the 400 block of Fairview Avenue.

According to the Hong Kong Herald, the Chinese national arrested in Hong Kong for allegedly murdering two teenage brothers, William and Anthony Lin, in Arcadia agreed to be extradited Monday, Jan. 25, but claimed there were “problems” with the charges.

Shi was detained by police at the Hong Kong airport Saturday, Jan. 23, after landing on a flight from Los Angeles.

A police officer close to the case said the authorities acted very quickly to arrest him.

Following medical checks, Shi was formally arrested Sunday, Jan. 24.

He is accused of murdering his nephews aged 15 and 16 after his wife filed for divorce, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Shi had already attacked his wife who was the sister of the boys’ father, the report said.

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Shi, who had scratches on his face when he appeared in a Hong Kong district court Monday, Jan. 25, agreed to be extradited to the U.S. and said he wanted to return, “as soon as possible.” It remains unclear when he will be returned to the U.S. to face prosecution.

Local media had reported he was heading to mainland China, which unlike Hong Kong does not have an extradition treaty with the U.S.

Shi said he had not been fleeing but was transiting through Hong Kong to deal with business in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen.

“The allegations against me include a lot of problems,” Shi told the court through an interpreter.
“I would like to give a clear account to the U.S. government.”

Judge Clement Lee remanded him in custody despite his application for bail.

The case was adjourned until Feb. 11, pending a full extradition request from the U.S.

Hong Kong police’s detective Senior Inspector Jonathan Close said that once the extradition had been fully approved, U.S. Marshals would come to the city within 30 days to collect Shi.

Arcadia School issued the following statement after the news broke:
“The Arcadia Unified School District family offers our deepest condolences to the Lin family, their friends, and loved ones. We are beyond saddened to learn of the death of the Lin brothers, William and Anthony, who attended Arcadia High School. The loss of William and Anthony will be felt by the thousands of students, staff, friends, and family that loved and knew them well in our tight-knit community. We know our community will stand united as we go through this unthinkable tragedy together. We ask everyone to please respect the Lin family’s privacy during this extremely difficult time.

“While this tragedy did not happen on campus, it will undoubtedly have an enormous impact throughout all our schools. We will provide additional counselors and support services this week when students return to school, and for as long as they are needed. Arcadia Unified prides itself as being a positive leader in this great community, and will continue to make the well-being of our students and staff a priority. We appreciate the many condolences and support for the Lin family. We know this will continue, and we thank you all.
“Sincerely,
Arcadia Unified School District.”

Their bodies were not discovered until Friday morning, Jan. 22, by their parents, who thought they were safe asleep in their beds.

Shi is also wanted for allegedly attacking his wife with an axe Thursday night, Jan. 21, in La Cañada Flintridge because she wanted a divorce.

According to deputies, the victims’ parents were visiting the suspect’s wife at a hospital the night the teenagers were killed.

Deputies say the boys’ mother discovered their bodies. They suffered blunt force trauma, according to a press release by the sheriff’s department.

Authorities found Shi’s car at Los Angeles International Airport.

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