When a 17 year old kid knocks a baseball through my window and tries to blame someone else I would go talk to the 17-year kid's parents. I don't see why they would not be contacted for this.
So what are you going to say? We
think your son is responsible for a major crime and we want you to do something about it? A crime which hasn't even been reported to the authorities? What ability do they have to determine whether or not Zhou is responsible?
This isn't being proposed as a "your kid's got himself into a tight spot and he could use your help" kind of thing. What additional benefit is there to involving Zhou's parents?
Don't get me wrong, I think the way this is being handled is sketchy as hell but I don't see how involving Zhou's parents is going to make it any less sketchy.