On a tragic spring day in Binghamton, New York, the life of Dolores Cabonilas Dinah Yigal was cut short in a senseless act of violence. A 53-year-old female immigrant from the Philippines, she was among the victims of a mass shooting on April 3, 2009, at the American Civic Association, an immigrant aid center. Having been in the United States for about a year, Yigal was attending an English as a second language class as part of her dream to build a new life.
She had moved to the country after marrying a Binghamton resident who had been her pen pal.
The horrific event unfolded when a gunman, Jiverly Antares Wong, entered the civic association and opened fire. He killed 13 people before taking his own life. The investigation that followed revealed the shooter's history of mental health struggles, including depression and paranoia, which are believed to have culminated in the violent outburst. Wong was identified as the sole perpetrator of the massacre, and consequently, there were no other arrests or suspects in the case.
The investigation into the shooting focused on understanding Wong's motives and the circumstances that led to the tragedy. It was discovered that he had legally purchased the firearms used in the attack, which sparked national conversations about gun control laws and mental health. In the aftermath, the families of the victims, including Dolores Yigal's, were left to grapple with their profound loss as the community and the nation mourned the devastating impact of the Binghamton shooting.
