Kim Pham Killed For Accidental Photobomb, Police Say

Kim Pham was beaten to death outside a Southern California nightclub after the 23-year-old accidentally stepped into a photograph her killers were taking.

Police have said that 25-year-old Vanessa Tapia Zavala was one of five people who beat Annie Hung “Kim” Pham to death outside the Crosby Bar and Nightclub early on Saturday. A friend of Pham told the Los Angeles Times that the altercation between the groups started when Pham accidentally photobombed Zavala’s friends.

Police acknowledged that Pham was a target of the group.

“Two or three of the female suspects knocked her to the ground, were physically assaulting her and kicking her, and they fled the scene,” Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said, according to KABC.

Pham was knocked unconscious, a video of the assault showed. She was later taken to a hospital where she remained on life support so that her organs could be donated. On Tuesday family members took Kim Pham off life support.

Zavala was arrested Monday and on Wednesday pleaded not guilty to murder. Her lawyer, Kenneth Reed, said that Zavala was shocked by the incident but not responsible for Pham’s killing.

“Your day is fine, your life is fine, you have a 5-year-old son, you go out one night on a Friday with your boyfriend and then your life is turned upside down and you find out someone is killed,” Reed said. “No matter what the situation is, you’re going to be devastated.”

An eight-second video of the beating was circulated, showing a group of people in a violent fight next to a utility box. One person was seen kicking another person who had fallen to the ground.

The video and the senselessness of Kim Pham dying over a photobomb sent shockwaves through the area and made headlines nationwide.

Councilwoman Michele Martinez said, “It breaks my heart that five people attacked one young woman and that certain people watched and didn’t try to stop it… I’m in utter shock.”

Kim Pham was a popular graduate of Chapman University’s psychology program, remembered by friends and family as having a bright personality.

Police are still seeking four other suspects in the beating death of Kim Pham who were reportedly in the group she photobombed. A $10,000 reward is offered for information that leads to the arrest of other suspects. so short.”