Two charged in slaying of bar owner

Yia Her
Yia Her has been charged in Ramsey County with second degree murder in the death of Vone Xweet Moua.
Courtesy Ramsey County Attorney

The Ramsey County Attorney's office has charged two men with second degree murder in the weekend shooting death of a St. Paul business owner.

Prosecutors say 26-year-old Yia Her, of Oakdale, and his brother-in-law, 22-year-old Cheng Vang, of Minneapolis, confronted the owner of Malina's Sports Bar on North Dale Street just after closing time early Sunday morning.

According to a witness, Her started an argument with the proprietor of the bar, 45-year-old Vone Moua. Prosecutors say Her had paid $20 to play pool for two hours and wanted Moua to give him his money back at closing time.

A witness told investigators that as Moua tried to force the men out of the bar, the witness saw Vang pull out a silver handgun and begin firing. Moua was struck in the head by a bullet and died later at Regions hospital. Two bar employees were wounded.

Her was arrested several hours after the shooting. A warrant has been issued for Vang's arrest.

Read the criminal complaint:

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