Mile High Murder, No. 45. Chopsticks & Sushi owner Yan De Yang formally charged with murdering Lloyd Runningbear

On October 23, Chopsticks & Sushi owner Yan De Yang was arrested for investigation of first-degree murder in regard to a shooting that took place at his restaurant during the previous afternoon, causing areas near the busy 16th Street Mall to be closed to traffic for hours. Well, the investigation...

By Michael Roberts

November 2, 2009

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On October 23, Chopsticks & Sushi owner Yan De Yang was arrested for investigation of first-degree murder in regard to a shooting that took place at his restaurant during the previous afternoon, causing areas near the busy 16th Street Mall to be closed to traffic for hours. Well, the investigation appears to have been a success, at least from the standpoint of the Denver District Attorney's Office. Yang has now been formally indicted for first-degree murder (and first-degree assault) in the death of a man identified as Lloyd Runningbear, 29, whose name surfaced in comments found on a Channel 31 story about the original crime -- some of them loving, others not so much. The DA's release below doesn't take a side in the Runningbear debate -- but it does make it clear that Yang has a Wednesday court date in his future.

RESTAURANT OWNER CHARGED WITH MURDER

Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey has formally charged a man in connection with a shooting that took place on October 22, 2009 in a restaurant in the 1600 block of Welton Street.

Yan "Dave" Yang (dob 02-14-69) is charged with first- degree murder (F1) and first-degree assault (F3).

The charges allege that Yang shot and killed 29-year-old Lloyd Runningbear following a confrontation that took place inside the restaurant at about 3:50 p.m. The victim had entered the restaurant with another male who fled the scene after the shooting.

Yang remains in custody in the Denver County Jail where he is being held without bond. He is scheduled to appear in Denver County Court, room 12T, on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 to be formally advised of the charges.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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