Jianquan Bo, 66, of Irvine, is accused of helping kidnap a man and place his body in a trunk last week. He's expected to appear in court Monday.
Authorities identified the victim in the case as Shukur Aikebaer. According to a GoFundMe page created by his family, the 60-year-old was a husband and father of three daughters.
According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, Aikebaer was kidnapped last week by his business partner. The suspect, identified as 67-year-old Zhengfeng Bo, led deputies on a short pursuit before opening fire on Aikebaer, investigators said.
Deputies then shot and killed Zhengfeng Bo. Jianquan Bo was the passenger in the car and was arrested and charged.
Eyewitness News has obtained business records showing Zhengfeng Bo and Aikebaer as having roles together in at least two LLCs. Both companies are involved in lawsuits filed this year, including one lawsuit filed last week.
Zhengfeng Bo's attorney told Eyewitness News the controversy involves a $20 million apartment complex in Pasadena. According to the attorney, Bo is suing the former managers of the complex, whom he claims are not allowing him to take control of the property.
Bo's attorney said that although Aikebaer's name is not listed in either lawsuit, he described him as "a middleman," saying he believes the victim introduced the suspect to the person with whom he had the dispute.
READ MORE: Chino Hills kidnap-murder suspects and victim identified; detectives reveal prior relationship
Chino Hills kidnap-murder suspects and victim identified; detectives reveal prior relationship
How did the kidnapping and deadly shooting unfold?
The deadly incident unfolded on Wednesday night after the power to Aikebaer's home went out on Monteverde Drive. When he came out to inspect his electrical panel, he was shot and kidnapped by the suspects, according to the sheriff's department.
Investigators are looking into the possibility that the victim's power was purposely turned off as a ruse to get him outside.
Deputies responded to a report of shots fired and a person yelling for help at the location. The deputies arrived at the scene and spotted Zhengfeng driving a Nissan Altima, then attempted a traffic stop.
Zhengfeng failed to yield, and that's when a short chase began, authorities said. The Nissan eventually stopped on nearby Wandering Ridge Drive.
A surveillance camera at the scene captured what happened after deputies pulled over the Nissan.
In the footage, according to the sheriff's department, Jianquan gets out of the car with their arms in the air. Zhengfeng also gets out, walks to the trunk of the vehicle, opens it, and shoots Aikebaer inside before deputies open fire.
When deputies moved in, they discovered Aikebaer inside the trunk.
Both Zhengfeng and Aikebaer were pronounced dead at the scene. Bo's attorney told Eyewitness News that Jianquan is a relative of Zhengfeng.
The investigation expanded into Orange County last week. Prosecutors are expected to provide additional information Monday about the investigation's connection to Irvine.
The San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office is scheduled to hold a news conference at about 11 a.m. Monday in Chino Hills.