FBI Offers $30,000 Reward for Capture of Hung Tien Pham, Last Remaining Killer in Boston’s Chinatown Massacre

The Infamous Chinatown Massacre: FBI Offers Reward to Catch Third Killer

More than three decades have passed since Boston’s infamous Chinatown Massacre, and the FBI is determined to see justice served by capturing the elusive third and final killer. The agency is willing to pay a substantial sum of money for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the fugitive.

A Brutal Crime Scene

In the early hours of January 12, 1991, a horrifying incident unfolded in a cramped apartment at 85 Tyler St. in Boston’s Chinatown. Five men were mercilessly shot in the head, while another man miraculously survived despite critical injuries. The victims were identified as Chung Wah Son, Cuong Khang Luu, Man Cheung, David Quang Lam, and Van Tran, all residents of Chinatown. The crime scene also revealed that no robbery had taken place, suggesting that the motive behind the killings was a power struggle among rival gangs in the area.

Taking Down the Culprits

Following an extensive investigation, the police identified three local criminals associated with the Ping On gang as the prime suspects. Arrest warrants were issued for Siny “Toothless Wah” Van Tram, Nam “Johnny” The Tram, and Hung Tien Pham, all in their early 30s. However, it took over a decade for Van Tram and The Tram to be apprehended in China and subsequently convicted of murder in 2005. Currently serving life sentences, they have left the authorities with one remaining fugitive: Hung Tien Pham.

The Hunt for Hung Tien Pham

Hung Tien Pham, who was 31 years old at the time of the massacre, continues to evade capture. The FBI has described him as a 63-year-old Vietnamese-born man, standing at 5-foot-2 to 5-foot-4, weighing between 115 and 135 pounds. He is fluent in Vietnamese, Chinese, and English and has worked in various occupations, including cooking, waiting tables, repairing bicycles, and sanding floors. It is believed that Pham fled to New York City after the killings and boarded a flight to Hong Kong on February 1, 1991, just two weeks before an arrest warrant was issued against him.

The FBI’s Appeal for Information

To aid in Hung Tien Pham’s capture, the FBI is offering a reward of $30,000 for any information that leads to his arrest and conviction. The agency urges anyone with relevant details to contact their nearest FBI field office, embassy, consulate, or call the toll-free tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324).

A Turbulent Era for Chinatown

The Ping On gang had a stronghold over Chinatown’s criminal underworld during the 1980s. However, the departure of their leader, Stephen Tse, and the subsequent murder of his right-hand man, Michael Kwong, created a power vacuum. New gangs emerged, including one comprised of ethnic Chinese from Vietnam, known for their violent tendencies and disregard for established rules. This volatile environment ultimately led to the tragic events of the Chinatown Massacre.