Two arrested in murder of Thai restaurant owner

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Credit: DeKalb County Police

Police have arrested two suspects in the murder of a Thai restaurant owner in DeKalb County.

Jarvis Standford, 23, and Imani Burns, 20, were taken into custody Wednesday in connection with the murder of 33-year-old Aromsuk Somohot. The suspects are both charged with murder and armed robbery. 

The night of September 10 at approximately 9 p.m., police said Somohot was leaving the Mai Thai restaurant when Standford shot him during an armed robbery attempt. Standford's girlfriend, Imani Burns, who police said was an employee of Somohot, was identified as the driver of the getaway vehicle. 

Somohot's mother said her son moved to Georgia just about five years ago and purchased Mai Thai Restaurant on Lawrenceville Highway within the last two years. She said he moved to the United States to make and save enough money to help his family back home.

“I'm scared I won't be able to get his body back home with us. Who did this to him?” she asked as she wept on the phone.

“He literally didn't bother anybody. He minded his business, did his work and went home, so for someone to just shoot him in cold blood in just horrible,” said Tahlik Jackson, a regular customer.

"It's so sad for someone to come to this country to make a better life, only to get killed like this. It's sad,” said customer Ruby Brewer.

People from Somohot's house of worship, the Wat Budda Bucha Temple, gathered Wednesday night for prayers for the victim. 

"This is very tragic. He came to the United States to build his future," said Ekapong Sarindu of the Thai Association of Georgia. 

Both suspects are being held at the DeKalb County Jail.

Donations to return Joey's body back to Thailand are being fielded by the Wat Buddha Bucha Foundation at PNC Bank off Rainbow Drive in Decatur. 

Chik-Fil-A at Tucker Station of Hugh Howell Road plans to donate a portion of proceeds to the cause on Friday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.