Utah gangster sought in North Carolina shooting

Phonsavanh Thammavongsa, 25, has warrants out for his arrest for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution by the U.S. Marshals Office and for attempted homicide out of Mount Holly, N.C.

Law enforcers now believe Thammavongsa has returned to Utah. He was also named this week as Public Enemy No. 1 by the Salt Lake Area Gang Project.

On April 10, a K-9 officer from the Mount Holly, N.C., Police Department was allegedly shot by three men after they refused to let the officer search their car, according to media reports. The men led the officer on a chase that ended in a shootout with the officer.

The officer was shot twice. One of the shots hit him in the chest. He survived with minor injuries, however, thanks to his bulletproof vest.

Two suspects were captured, including the alleged triggerman. Police in North Carolina have named Thammavongsa as the third suspect.

The trail to catch Thammavongsa led investigators to Rockford, Ill., a week later where a house he was believed to be staying at was searched but no one was found.

Now, officials believe Thammavongsa has returned to Utah, where he is no stranger to trouble.

A stolen vehicle Thammavongsa is believed to have fled in after the shooting incident in North Carolina was recently recovered in Salt Lake County, said West Jordan police Capt. Gary Cox.

On Nov. 18, 1995, Phokham Keomanivong, 25, allegedly shot and killed 17-year-old Nicholas Dirkson outside a KFC restaurant, 285 W. 7200 South. Keomanivong was with several other gang members who all fled after the shooting. Investigators believe Thammavongsa was the getaway driver in that incident.

Keomanivong had stayed on the run ever since the incident and police believe the constant stress and fear of being caught finally got to him. Keomanivong committed suicide in Nevada in March.

Nearly three years after the KFC killing, Keomanivong's brother, Steven Keomanivong, was involved in another high-profile homicide.

Keomanivong killed 6-year-old Bethany Hyde in an unprovoked drive-by shooting near 2700 West and 3500 South. He was arrested in Oregon three months later and is currently at the Utah State Prison serving a sentence that could bring him up to 35 years in prison.

Thammavongsa is 5 feet 9 inches and 220 pounds. Police said he should be considered armed and dangerous and may be carrying a shotgun, a Mach 10 and a silver pistol of unknown caliber, according to the gang unit.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Salt Lake Area Gang Project at 743-7000. All callers can remain anonymous. Those with information leading to the arrest and conviction of Thammavongsa could be eligible for a cash reward.

E-mail: preavy@desnews.com

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