SACRAMENTO, CA – After a painstaking 18-month investigation, authorities have announced a significant breakthrough in the fatal 2023 shooting at a South Sacramento nightclub. On May 21, 2025, Sacramento County Sheriff’s Homicide Detectives arrested 20-year-old Kevin Thao in connection with the deaths of two innocent bystanders, 51-year-old Binh Do and 23-year-old Ryu Her, who were gunned down outside the Sacto By Night Lounge in the early hours of November 26, 2023.
The incident occurred just before 2 a.m. on that Sunday morning, when Sheriff’s Central Division Patrol Deputies were dispatched to reports of gunfire at the Governors Circle venue. Upon arrival, deputies discovered a chaotic scene and located two adult victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite the rapid emergency response, both victims succumbed to their injuries.
Shortly after the shooting, a California Highway Patrol officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle suspected of fleeing the area. The car was occupied by four adult males, and multiple firearms were recovered during the stop. The men were arrested at the time on weapons-related charges, but investigators were initially unable to conclusively link them to the nightclub shooting.
The Sheriff’s Department launched an extensive homicide investigation involving crime scene analysts and detectives. Over the next year and a half, authorities meticulously pieced together the events of that night, using forensic evidence, surveillance footage, and numerous interviews.
Their investigation revealed that the group of men in the stopped vehicle had been involved in a physical altercation with a group of females inside the nightclub. Witness statements and video evidence indicated that the fight escalated quickly, with the women appearing to overpower the men. In the aftermath of this confrontation, detectives allege that Kevin Thao, who was 18 years old at the time, retrieved a firearm from a nearby vehicle and, in a reckless act of retaliation, opened fire into a large crowd gathered outside the lounge.
Tragically, the bullets struck Binh Do and Ryu Her—both innocent bystanders who had no involvement in the earlier altercation. The senseless violence shocked the local community and left loved ones devastated, prompting public outcry for justice.
In a statement, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office credited the perseverance and diligence of their investigative team for finally bringing closure to the case. “Our detectives never gave up on finding justice for the victims of this heinous act. Through tireless work and commitment, they were able to identify and arrest the individual responsible for this tragedy,” said a department spokesperson.
Kevin Thao is currently being held without bail at the Sacramento County Main Jail. He faces two counts of murder and additional charges may follow as the case proceeds through the judicial system.
The arrest marks a critical step toward resolution for the families of Binh Do and Ryu Her, who have waited more than a year and a half for answers. Community leaders and law enforcement officials alike have praised the outcome as a testament to the importance of thorough investigative work and cross-agency collaboration.
The case remains under review by the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, and further updates will be released as the prosecution moves forward.