Man killed in shooting at Gold’s Gym in Reston identified

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. ( DC News Now ) — The Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) said it has identified the man who was shot and killed inside a Gold’s Gym in Reston on Tuesday afternoon.

Shortly after 1 p.m., officers responded to a Gold’s Gym at the 11800 block of Sunrise Valley Drive for a shooting.

Once inside the gym, officers found 31-year-old Hyung Joon Choi, of Reston, suffering from gunshot wounds to his upper body.

Responders took him to the hospital in life-threatening condition, where he died.

According to police, Choi was working out in the gym when the suspect, later identified as 43-year-old Steve Taehee Ha, approached him in a “targeted stance” before shooting him.

Detectives identified Ha as the suspect on Tuesday evening and arrested him .

“I just moved to the area, like four months ago. So I am all about safety and being around, you know, safe here… And this is honestly the safest area I’ve seen and have something like this happen at a gym. I mean, I feel for the victim and their family and it’s just I’m shocked,” said gym member Kim Peters.

The Office of the Fairfax Commonwealth’s Attorney told DC News Now that authorities charged Ha with second-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

He was arraigned in court on Wednesday morning.

Gold’s Gym responded to request for comment from DC News Now late Wednesday afternoon.

“We are grateful to law enforcement for quickly apprehending the suspect and are holding the victim’s family in our thoughts during this difficult time. We have confirmed that both men were members who followed security procedures by scanning their membership barcodes upon entering the gym. This has been a shock to our team and gym community and we are continuing to process what happened,” said Gold’s Gym Metro D.C. CEO Matt Clifford.

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