According to Santa Clara city and county law enforcement, Yeong Cheol Chin, 48, of Milpitas is believed responsible for killing his friend and business partner, Sung Bae Kim, 45, following an argument at Kim's Fremont home on the afternoon of Dec. 30--which was also Kim's birthday. Officials also say after Chin fatally shot Kim about 3 p.m., he then wounded Kim's wife before driving to a Korean pool hall in Santa Clara.

At Camino Billiard at 3030 El Camino Real, Chin allegedly shot and killed Chun Kim, 39, of San Jose and critically wounded Sangwoo Kim, 35, of Sunnyvale at about 7 p.m.

"There are so many dynamics to the case, we are not sure what brought him to Santa Clara," said Patti Lynch, a spokeswoman with the Santa Clara Police Department. "Although there is not anything conclusive, we believe there is some connection to the billiards business," Lynch said. Due to the ongoing investigation--which also involves the Fremont police, she also could not say whether Chin knew the Santa Clara victims.

After leaving Santa Clara, Chin allegedly drove himself to the Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery in the hills above Cupertino.

"We were alerted by the Fremont [police department] he might be heading there since his wife is buried there," Serg Palanov, a sheriff's department spokesman, said.

Palanov said it was just after 11 p.m. when officers approached the vehicle from under cover of bushes to confirm the license plate. A police helicopter also lit up the vehicle, a silver 2004 Honda Odyssey, which sat on Cristo Rey Drive outside the cemetery gates.

According to Palanov, Chin left the Honda briefly, then returned inside and deputies heard a single gunshot.

"The Korean community is shocked," said Alex Hull, president of the Silicon Valley Korean-American Chamber of Commerce. "It is very unusual for Koreans to handle [conflicts} in this sort of way and it's definitely an isolated incident," he said. Although Hull said he did not know any of the victims personally, he said they had reputations in the community of being hard-working, gentle individuals.

"We are not sure why this happened," Hull said. "We do know Chin had lost his wife to cancer several years ago and had become depressed. I understand Chin had recently sent his three children to live with relatives in Korea, so it might have been planned."

Investigators are also trying to determine what drove Chin to violence. "There is not anything conclusive so far," Lynch said.

Hull said the chamber is raising money to help the victims and their children. The money would go toward hospitalization costs, rent and scholarships. He is also meeting with the Korean consul general to discuss other ways to help.

Those interested in contributing can contact the Korean-American Chamber at 408.777.8718.