TSA officers detain homicide suspects
24-year-old Tien Ngoc Nguyen stood in court last week pending charges for the stabbing death of Steven Bangalan of Napa California, on December 21, 2012 at his family’s place of business. San Jose Police officers responded to a report of an unconscious person, which was later learned to be a stabbing victim at a business called “The Agency” located at 1630 Oakland Road Suite #A112, in San Jose.
Tien Nguyen was arrested while trying to flee the area
San Jose police spokesman Sgt. Jason Dwyer said, “Potential loss of life calls receives a priority one.” This requires that any officer who is closest to the scene using the Global Positioning Satellite or GPS system respond. “On other calls, the officers who are responsible for that area are going to get dispatched first.”
“The Agency” currently serves as both a photography studio and an insurance service. According to family members, Bangalan was a Registered Nurse who had worked at the Napa State Hospital and was currently working full-time during the week at a Hospice Care Center in San Jose.
Bangalan, in support of family members, often worked on the weekends at the studio. Bangalan, with a few friends, wanted to help celebrate a friend’s graduation, and decided to hold a party at the family’s place of business.
The Agency - Insurance, photography, and home to a party that turned violent
San Jose Police officers found 30-year-old Steve Bangalan at the back entrance of the business. Bangalan was transported to the Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead some time later from a single stab wound to the right side of his chest.
Homicide detectives working the case quickly identified the suspect through interviewing several witnesses about the accounts that lead to the stabbing death of the victim.
It was reported that Bangalan had broken up several fights that were happening outside of the business, and had tried to stop party goers from hitting each other. During the confrontation another fight broke out near the rear of the business and Bangalan tried to break up the fight between Nguyen and other guest, and in the process he was stabbed. He then tried to recover from the stab wound but had collapsed at the scene. Investigators interviewed party-goers who had seen Tien Nguyen stab Bangalan.
Bangalan was found at the back door of The Agency and later died from his wounds
It was later learned that Nguyen and his girlfriend where planning to fly out of San Jose to travel to Las Vegas Nevada that night. TSA agents contacted investigators stating that they had detained the suspects before they were able to enter the checkpoint.
Upon further investigation by Homicide Detectives, a wrist watch and bloody shirt were located at Nguyen’s residence. Investigators also found a pair of jeans and shirt that had been recently been bleached and washed, which were collected as evidence. Both individuals were transported to the Homicide Unit. Investigators with witness identification and corresponding statements detailing the crime gave investigators probable cause to charge Nguyen with the homicide, and booked him into the Santa Clara County Main Jail on Felony Murder charges under PC 187.
Photos courtesy San Jose PD, and by the Author Amy Nilson
Read More:
KTVU: Arrest made in stabbing death of 30-year-old SJ man at graduation party
MercuryNews.com: San Jose police announce arrest in fatal office party stabbing
