Huayi Bian, a 36-year-old Asian male, tragically lost his life on February 9, 2020, in Chicago, IL. The incident occurred in the parking lot of a Chinatown apartment building, where Bian and his friend, Weizhong Xiong, were fatally shot during a robbery attempt. The community was left in shock and mourning as they bid farewell to the victims, who were described as kindhearted and hardworking individuals.
The suspect, Alvin Thomas, a 20-year-old male, was apprehended shortly after the
shooting. Thomas attempted to rob Bian, Xiong, and a 44-year-old woman who was with them. While the woman complied with the robbery, Bian and Xiong resisted, leading Thomas to shoot them both. Bian and Xiong were shot multiple times in the face and skull, resulting in their immediate deaths. The woman, who managed to hide under a car, was unharmed.
Thomas was tracked down by the police using surveillance footage and bloody footprints that led them to Chinatown Square. He was found with blood on his shoes that matched the victims' DNA. Thomas, who had a prior criminal history and was on probation for a 2018 robbery and battery, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder. He was held without bond and faced a court hearing where he showed no emotion.
The murders sent shockwaves through the Chinatown community, prompting discussions about safety and the need to address violence in the area. A memorial for the victims grew larger as friends and neighbors expressed their grief and anger over the senseless killings. The community came together to demand justice and ensure that such a tragedy would not happen again.
