Kim Pham Is Brain Dead After Beating: Only On Life Support To Donate Organs

Kim Pham, 23, was declared brain dead after being beaten unconscious outside the Crosby night club in Santa Ana on Saturday. However, she is still on life support.

Police said they have arrested a woman, and are seeking four other people in connection with the incident.

Kim Pham was hit and stomped upon after an argument between two groups. Detectives said they don’t think the two groups knew each other, and they have no idea what started the argument.

Police spokesman Corporal Anthony Bertagna said, “She was kicked and punched to the point that she was unconscious when officers arrived.” He added that detectives in Santa Ana had made an arrest early Monday, using video apparently taken by a bystander.

The female suspect in her 20s was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon causing great bodily harm. Officers are continuing to search for two other women and two men. The name of the arrested woman will not be announced until the others are found..

Pham’s sister, Katie Nguyen, went to her Facebook page to announce: “Our beloved sister, daughter and friend Kim (Annie) Pham passed away on Sunday…. Kim is currently on life support because her wishes had always been to help others by being an organ donor.”

An eight-second video of the beating shows a group of people in a violent scrum next to a utility box near 4th Street and Broadway. A security guard approached the scene as at least one person is seen kicking at something on the ground.

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.”

In fact, crime in Santa Ana has declined in recent years. “We don’t want people to think it’s not a safe place to visit,” Martinez said.

Erik Doan, Pham’s uncle said, “Kim just recently graduated from Chapman University with a bachelor in psychology and she had so much to give back, so much to experience, and it was cut short.”

Larry Trinh, a 26-year-old Westminster resident and friend, said Kim Pham, was very affectionate and caring. “It’s a depressing sight,” Trinh said, looking at the makeshift memorial which had been erected at the site. “I’m really going to miss talking to her. She could always make me laugh.”

Downtown Inc., the business association in the area, has offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the death of Kim Pham.