A friend of the man accused of carrying out a gruesome car-trunk execution in the Los Angeles area stated that the suspect had expressed concerns about a struggling $20 million real estate investment years before the killing.
Tony Lu told NBC Los Angeles that Zhengfeng Bo, 67, sought his assistance approximately two years prior to the fatal attack, citing worries over a Pasadena apartment complex investment that was no longer profitable.
"Basically, there’s no net positive cash flow for him or his business," Lu said. Lu, who met Zhengfeng Bo as a neighbor in Irvine, described the suspect as a friend whose family often socialized with his own. He expressed shock at the allegations.
Lu also indicated that Zhengfeng Bo had voiced concerns about the victim, Shukur Aikebaer, who authorities allege was kidnapped by Zhengfeng Bo before being killed. Lu stated that Zhengfeng Bo was involved in some of Aikebaer’s investments and believed Aikebaer might have been trying to use him for financial gain.
Despite these reservations, Lu recalled Zhengfeng Bo introducing him to Aikebaer multiple times over the years, always referring to him as a "nice family man and businessman."
Court records indicate that Zhengfeng Bo was the CEO of Panshi Inc., while Aikebaer served as the company's chief financial officer and secretary. Panshi Inc., which held a 70% stake in the Pasadena apartment complex, was involved in a legal dispute with Panoptic Development over control of the property. Aikebaer was not named in the lawsuits.
According to San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson, investigators believe Zhengfeng Bo, his brother Jianquan Bo, 66, and Aikebaer had a business relationship, and a dispute between them ultimately led to the fatal attack.
Authorities allege that on July 29, the brothers kidnapped Aikebaer from his Chino Hills home after disabling the residence's power to lure him outside. When Aikebaer went to investigate the power outage, Zhengfeng Bo allegedly shot him once in the torso before forcing him into the trunk of a Nissan Altima. A neighbor's 911 call about gunfire and a description of the vehicle enabled deputies to locate the car and initiate a traffic stop. The suspects then led authorities on a brief pursuit of approximately two miles.
Investigators stated that Zhengfeng Bo exited the vehicle during the pursuit, opened the trunk, and fatally shot Aikebaer in the head. Sheriff's deputies returned fire, killing Zhengfeng Bo at the scene. Sheriff Shannon Dicus reported that deputies were unaware of Aikebaer's presence in the trunk prior to the shooting.
Jianquan Bo has been arrested and charged with murder with a special-circumstance allegation for committing the killing during a kidnapping. He has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for another court appearance on August 12.
Anderson commented that Aikebaer's family has been left devastated by the incident.