Kalaxang Thao, aged 40, was one of the victims in a tragic mass shooting that occurred on November 17, 2019, in Fresno, California. The incident took place during a backyard party at a residence in east central Fresno, where a group of Hmong community members had gathered to watch a football game. The peaceful evening turned into a nightmare when two gunmen entered the backyard and opened fire on the attendees.
Kalaxang Thao, along with three other men—Xy Lee, Phia Vang, and Kou Xiong—lost their lives in this senseless act of violence. The shooting also left six others injured, some of whom required hospitalization.
The investigation into the shooting revealed that the attack was targeted. Authorities believe the motive behind the shooting was linked to a disturbance involving some of the men at the party that had occurred the previous week. This disturbance was suspected to be connected to gang-related activities, although there was no direct evidence that the victims themselves were involved in gangs. The Fresno Police Department responded by establishing a gang task force to delve deeper into the incident and prevent any potential retaliatory violence, especially with the Hmong New Year celebrations approaching.
In the aftermath of the shooting, law enforcement made significant progress in identifying and apprehending the suspects. Six individuals, who claimed affiliation with the Mongolian Boys Society gang, were arrested in connection with the attack. These suspects were believed to have carried out the shooting as an act of retaliation against a rival gang, the Asian Crips, whom they blamed for the death of one of their members earlier that day. The suspects faced multiple charges, including four counts of homicide, twelve counts of attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit murder. The arrests were part of a broader effort by the Fresno Police Department, which included serving numerous search warrants and recovering weapons and cash linked to the crime.
The tragic death of Kalaxang Thao and the other victims sent shockwaves through the Hmong community in Fresno and beyond. The community mourned the loss of these individuals, who were remembered as humble and well-respected members of society. The incident highlighted the ongoing issues of gang violence and the need for continued efforts to address and mitigate such threats to community safety.
