On December 21, 1996, Randolph Michael "Randy" Eng, a 38-year-old male of Asian ethnicity, was tragically shot and killed while working as a deputy sheriff for the Harris County Sheriff's Office in Houston, Texas. Eng was working a secondary employment assignment at a wedding reception held at the Imperial Palace Restaurant in the 9100 block of Bellaire Boulevard.
The incident began when Eng and his partner, Deputy Murray Campbell, attempted to intervene in a disturbance involving a Vietnamese refugee who was not drinking enough cognac to satisfy his companions. The situation escalated when Chau Truong, the brother of the refugee, became angry and left the table to go into the men's room. Eng followed him into the restroom to address the issue.
As Eng was talking to Chau Truong, a series of five gunshots were fired through the door, striking Eng in the head and leg. Campbell, who was standing just behind Eng, was also hit in the left arm by one of the bullets. Both deputies were transported to Ben Taub Hospital, where Eng was pronounced dead, and Campbell survived his injuries.
The suspect, Man Nhu Truong, fled the scene with his brother, Hoang Truong, but surrendered to police days later in Cameron, Missouri. Man Nhu Truong was found guilty of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Eng, a nine-year veteran of the Sheriff's Department, was well-known and respected within the department and the Houston Asian community. His death was a significant loss to both his colleagues and the community he served.
