HOUSTON – In the late 1970s, the Ung family escaped the infamous killing fields in Cambodia by moving to Houston.

“They had to carry the youngest son on their back and whatever food they could. Then, they had to tiptoe through the jungle because there were minefields everywhere during that time,” said Leng Abassi, family friend.

With their two little boys, the Ung family were able to escape the Khmer Rouge regime, which slaughtered as many as two million people. 

They made their way to a refugee camp in the Phillippines. It was there that their daughter, Chou Ung, was born.

Eventually, they found their way to Houston, where they thought senseless killing was history.

But it turns out they were wrong.

Sunday night, 28-year-old Chou Ung was shot and killed while filling up at a Chevron station.  Police said that robbery was likely the motive.

“A family could try to put all the killing behind. But now it happens again, and it brings it all back up,” said Pastor Clifford Lee, River Oaks Chinese Baptist Mission.

The Ung family is devastated at the loss of their family member.  Ung was studying to be a teacher, which was a goal she put second to her family’s needs.

“She was always helping out at our restaurants,” said Wendell.

The family owns two restaurants on Westheimer. 

Chou was leaving one of them when her family last saw her. 

Funeral arrangements have been set for Ung.

A viewing is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 5 at the Chapel of Eternal Peace on Dairy Ashford from noon until 9 p.m.

A memorial service will be held that same day from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The funeral service is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6 at 11 a.m.

The burial will follow at Memorial Oaks on I-10 and Eldridge.