3-year-old victim killed in Allen Mall shooting remembered by teacher
James Cho was the youngest victim to die in the shooting. His mother and father were also killed.
ALLEN, Texas — Friends of the Cho family on Monday identified parents Kyu and Cindy and their 3-year-old son, James, as victims killed in the Allen Premium Outlets mall shooting in Allen, Texas.
At a memorial set up outside the mall, Trinity Whitley told WFAA she was James’ daycare teacher at McKinney.
“[James] he was innocent and he did nothing wrong,” Whitley said. “He usually wore bibs and elephant-shaped T-shirts. He loved elephants, he loved elephants.
The cross at the memorial with James’ name has a stuffed elephant pinned to it.
“He was sweet and smart, and he was so cute,” Whitley continued. “And he was a brilliant kid. I have never met such a smart 3 year old. He was three years old and wrote his own name.
Whitley said James’ mother Cindy was her dentist.
“His mother, she was so sweet, and always said thank you [the daycare staff] he always takes care of his son,” she said.
Whitley brought a green balloon to add to the memorial, which was James’s favorite color, she said.
“He was a super sweet kid and he will be missed every day. And there won’t be a day that we don’t think about him,” she added.
Kyu and Cindy’s other son, 6-year-old William, remains hospitalized but has been released from the intensive care unit, according to a GoFundMe page set up for the family.
Prestonwood Christian Academy shared that William is a student at the school and said in a video that he is counseling students and staff.
Hundreds of people came to the memorial at the mall on Monday.
Organizers said a vigil is planned there for Wednesday at 7pm. It is open to the public.
