Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Fatal Stabbing of Cal State Fullerton Administrator
FULLERTON, Calif. (CNS) — Chuyen Van Vo, a 55-year-old man, pleaded guilty this week to murder and grand theft by embezzlement and was immediately sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The charges stem from the fatal stabbing of Steven Shek Keung Chan, a semi-retired Cal State Fullerton administrator, in 2019.
Vo also admitted to sentencing enhancements for the personal use of a deadly weapon and murder by means of lying in wait. However, the special circumstance allegation of murder for financial gain was dismissed.
The incident occurred on August 19, 2019, at around 8:30 a.m. in a parking lot at the university. Vo killed Chan, 57, in what authorities believe was an attempt to cover up his embezzlement scheme. Testimony provided at a preliminary hearing revealed that Vo had embezzled $206,000 from the university by filing fake invoices for a tutoring company.
Vo’s motive for the crime was the fear that Chan was about to uncover the embezzlement scheme. In an effort to spare both families from a trial, Vo decided to plead guilty.
According to Ed Welbourn, Vo’s attorney, his client “felt he knew what he did and wanted to confess to it.” Welbourn added that Vo “feels very badly about what he did and wanted to put an end to the family’s suffering.”
During the investigation, police testified that a construction worker in the parking lot at the time of the incident heard a loud commotion behind him while talking on the phone. He witnessed Vo repeatedly punching Chan before shoving him back into his vehicle and fleeing the scene.
Police found Vo’s backpack at the crime scene, which contained several items including zip ties, an incendiary device, a wig, gloves, a watch, a handwritten note, and a knife. The note led investigators to Vo’s tax preparation business in Westminster.
Chan, who had previously supervised Vo when they both worked in the same office for international student admissions, had been brought back part-time to investigate irregularities in invoicing at the university. The staff was reportedly closing in on Vo’s embezzlement scheme.
With Vo now serving a life sentence without parole, the university and Chan’s family can find some closure after the tragic incident.