27-year-old Pearl River woman allegedly killed by roommate in Philadelphia apartment
Anne Tso, a Pearl River High School graduate remembered for growing up behind the counter at her family’s Ichiban restaurant, was fatally shot and stabbed, according to her family.
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The Pearl River community is mourning the loss of a young woman many residents say they watched grow up behind the counter at her family’s restaurant.
Anne Tso, 27, a Pearl River High School graduate, was killed inside her apartment on the 2600 block of South 9th Street in Philadelphia on Feb. 27.
Police say her roommate, 30-year-old Gabriela Flora-Duncan, has been arrested and charged with murder. Authorities say the killing happened following an argument.
Tso’s family says she was fatally shot and stabbed during the attack.
Tso graduated from Pearl River High School and later attended the Rochester Institute of Technology. She most recently worked for L3Harris Technologies and had made Philadelphia her home.
Outside Ichiban Chinese restaurant on North Main Street in Pearl River — the restaurant owned by Tso’s parents — the heartbreak is visible.
In the front window, Anne’s photo is surrounded by flowers left by community members. A heartfelt note from her parents thanking customers for their support is also posted in the window.
Since the news spread, people have been stopping by the restaurant to pay their respects, many leaving sympathy cards and small gifts for the family.
Tso’s brother, Alan, said the loss has been devastating.
“This should’ve never happened. I wish this could all be a bad nightmare,” Alan Tso said.
He said his sister had been trying to help her roommate, who had a young child, by giving her a place to stay.
“It was her roommate who she was trying to help and it went all wrong,” he said.
Alan Tso said the killing stemmed from an argument over finances after his sister asked her roommate to help with expenses.
“She really wanted to help her and once the help stopped coming, she did something unspeakable,” he said.
Alan Tso said the community support has meant a lot to the family.
“The community has been incredibly helpful. They brought all these flowers, food and gifts for her,” he said.
He said many customers knew Anne since she was a child, helping her parents at the restaurant.
“They all saw her since she was six,” he said.
“She had a great job and was just about to start her new life and it was taken from her,” he added.
Longtime customer Audrey Brotzman said watching Anne grow up felt like watching a member of her own family.
“It’s like watching your niece. Watching her skip down the street chasing after her brothers. Always a smile on her face,” Brotzman said.
Another longtime customer, David Kasny, said he stopped by the restaurant to leave a sympathy card for the family.
“We are regular customers over the years… I wanted to leave something special in there,” Kasny said.
“When we found this out … it’s a terrible, terrible way,” he said.
A community vigil is planned Tuesday night outside the restaurant as friends, neighbors and customers gather to remember Tso.
