$20K Reward Announced in Death of Clerk Shot During Shift at Alhambra Motel

Over a month after a 44-year-old woman was shot and killed during an attempted robbery at an Alhambra motel, sheriff's officials asked for the public's help Tuesday morning to help them identify a suspect in the case.

Officials and family members of the victim discussed the case and announced a $20,000 reward at a news conference Tuesday morning.

Alhambra resident Xiuxia "Michelle" Chen — a wife and mother of two — was shot and killed at the Ambassador Inn, 2720 Valley Blvd. around 11 p.m. on June 2, according to Alhambra police.

Chen was working a night shift behind the counter of the motel when she was shot once in the chest, according to sheriff's officials.

"The suspect demanded money, reached over the counter and fatally shot Michelle," then fled empty-handed, according to a sheriff's statement. He was in the lobby for less than a minute.

Detectives released security video Tuesday showing the man pointing a handgun at the victim. He was about 5 feet 6 inches to 6 feet tall, with a medium build, and wore dark clothing, including a "dark hooded sweater" and one dark glove.

LASD releases $20k reward/pic of suspect wanted in murder of 44yo wife/mom who was shot while working at Alhambra motel in June. @NBCLA pic.twitter.com/oAXkTIOT8D
— Jonathan Gonzalez (@JonathanNBCLA) July 11, 2017

Security video also was released of a woman of Asian descent who may have seen the suspect leaving the crime scene. She was regarded only as a possible witness, authorities said.

The city of Alhambra and a local business each contributed $10,000 in reward money.

"All I want is justice for my loving wife," Chen's husband Armando Escandor said at the news conference.

Chen, mother to a 21-year-old man and a 12-year-old girl, was married to her husband for over 20 years. In June, he said his wife was a loving woman and that he was heartbroken following news of her death.

Her son, Armando Escandor, Jr., addressed his remarks to the suspect.