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Chinese restaurant to reopen; Sheriff’s benefit efforts continue
By Justin Goble
Benefit efforts continue while family members shot in a November armed robbery make plans to reopen their Cullowhee restaurant this week.
The China Dragon will reopen today (Thursday) after being closed since a Nov. 16 robbery in which owner Qi Lin and employees Jie Lin and Caibo Lin were injured by gunfire.
Qi Lin was shot in the thigh during the incident, and Jie Lin and Caibo Lin suffered more serious injuries. All three were hospitalized at Mission Hospitals in Asheville.
The robbery suspect, Dewann McCollum, was shot the following morning by law enforcement officers when he refused to surrender. Results of a State Bureau of Investigation probe placed McCollum at the China Dragon crime scene and revealed that he had recently fired a gun.
Jackson County Sheriff Jimmy Ashe established the Lin Family Benefit Fund at the Macon Bank in November to offset the family’s medical expenses. Since the Lins still face hefty hospital bills, anyone wanting to donate to the fund is encouraged to do so, Ashe said.
“The fund will be open indefinitely,” Ashe said. “It needs to stay open because the medical bills are still rolling in. It has helped, but I think it’s something that needs to grow because of the large costs the family is facing. We’re hoping to match all of their medical bills.”
Amy Lin, a relative of those injured, agrees that the fund has helped with the medical costs. However, while the other two victims are recovering well, she said Qi Lin is still experiencing pain from his wound.
“The benefit fund has been a lot of help,” Lin said. “My brother-in-law (Qi Lin) who was shot in the leg has had an especially hard time. He’s been to the doctor a lot. He’s also been doing acupuncture and taking a lot of pain medication. He needs a lot of help.”
Amy Lin did say that the family is excited to reopen the restaurant. The support for her family has been overwhelming, she said, and many have been curious as to when China Dragon would be back in business.
“We’re looking forward to reopening,” she said. “A lot of people have been asking us about it. We really just want to say ‘thank you’ to the people in the community for supporting us. It really has been amazing.”
Donations can be made by check, cash, charge or bank transfer. Those wishing to make donations may visit the bank or call 631-9700 or mail contributions to the bank at 498 E. Main St., Sylva NC 28779.
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