Two years ago Saturday, Don Ly was stabbed to death near his own home as he prepped for his day as one of the popular food vendors in University City.
"He comes out around 5 a.m. every morning to load up his fruit truck and that’s when he was attacked," Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said at the time.
Someone stabbed Ly in the abdomen, throat, chest and arms as he prepared his food stand and van that were parked along the 400 block of Vollmer Street in South Philadelphia. Ly was well-known in the community where he ran his fruit stand at 34th and Chestnut Streets in University City.
"My father Don Ly was a good man in every sense of the word," wrote Ly's daughter Leeto Ly in a guest column that appeared in the Daily Pennsylvanian following the killing. "He was always utmost honest, humble, gentle and kind to all people. He was a deeply loving devoted husband who married only once and for life. He was peaceful and never bore any ill will against any soul."
Police never revealed a motive in the crime but since nothing was taken it appears the killer possibly targeted Ly.
Two years later no suspect has turned up in the case despite a $25,000 reward and surveillance video that police say shows Ly's killer.
The video shows the suspect casually walking away after the murder. Police said one clue that could help lead them to the suspect is that he was wearing "Chuck Taylor" sneakers on the morning of the murder.
One year later, Ly's son, Hoanh Ly, made a public plea to find his father's killer remains unanswered:
"I am U.S. Army veteran, also I am my father's son and I am asking/begging the members of the public for help, if anyone knows anything, please contact the police."
Anyone with information in this unsolved murder should contact Philadelphia Police.
Photo Credit: Family Photo
