Three robbers raid Wah Mee gambling club in the International District and kill 13 patrons on February 18, 1983.

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On February 18, 1983, three armed, young Chinese American men enter the historic Wah Mee gambling club in Seattle's Chinatown. They walk away with tens of thousands of dollars in cash, leaving 14 people for dead. One of the victims survives and testifies during what were arguably the three highest-profile trials Seattle has ever seen.

Two assailants, Willie Mak and Benjamin Ng, received life sentences for murder. The third suspect, Tony Ng, fled to Canada and was later extradited and convicted of robbery and assault. The Wah Mee was padlocked and never reopened.

Sources:
Todd Mathews, "Wah Mee," (1998) (www.wahmee.com).

By Walt Crowley, February 15, 2001

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Related Topics: Crime | Law | Calamities | Asian & Pacific Islander Americans |

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Benjamin Ng in court, August 17, 1983
Courtesy Associated Press

Kwan Fai "Willie" Mak, 1983
Courtesy Associated Press