Reward increased for information in 2016 murder of teacher in South End

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced a $15,000 reward Tuesday for information in the 2016 murder of a Union County teacher.

Ruijuan Guo, 33, was shot during an armed robbery on East Park Avenue in South End on Sept. 9, 2016. She died several days later.

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Investigators called Guo an innocent victim while announcing the increased reward nearly three years after her death.

Police said Guo was with her fiancé and two friends at the time of the robbery.

One of those friends, Joe Fuqua, was found shot and killed in a hotel two days later.

Police said the two cases are connected. They said Fuqua participated in the planning of the robbery but did not kill Guo.

Police believe Fuqua was killed to cover up her murder. They have charged a suspect in his murder. Police said he may be tied to Guo's murder, but he is not talking.

Guo was from China and had been teaching Chinese at Kensington Elementary School in Waxhaw.

“There are people in this community who have information that would help us clear this case. It's incredibly important that they do the right thing and step forward and help us out. Ruijuan represented the best that her country had to offer, and unfortunately, she met the worst of ours,” said Lt. Bryan Crum with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

The ATF announced the $15,000 reward, saying they believe someone has critical information in the case.

Anyone can call and provide information without leaving a name or having to go to court.

People can call the ATF tip line at (704) 432-TIPS or CrimeStoppers at (704) 334-1600.

Cox Media Group