In the cold, early hours of February 19, 1983, the vibrant life of 52-year-old Henning G. Chinn was tragically cut short in what would become a dark chapter in Seattle's history. Chinn was one of thirteen people brutally murdered inside the Wah Mee Club, a private gambling den tucked away in the city's International District. The motive behind the horrific event was a robbery, meticulously planned and ruthlessly executed by three men who were familiar faces to many of the club's patrons.
The assailants, later identified as Kwan Fai "Willie" Mak, Benjamin Ng, and Wai Chiu "Tony" Ng, entered the club armed and with the intent to leave no witnesses. They proceeded to rob the occupants before systematically shooting each person. Henning G. Chinn, along with twelve others, succumbed to gunshot wounds. The massacre was discovered later that morning, sending shockwaves of fear and disbelief through the community.
The subsequent police investigation swiftly identified the three suspects. While Mak and Benjamin Ng were apprehended relatively quickly, Tony Ng managed to flee to Canada, sparking an international manhunt. He was eventually captured in Calgary. The lone survivor of the massacre became a crucial witness, providing testimony that was instrumental in the trials that followed. Ultimately, Willie Mak and Benjamin Ng were convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Tony Ng, the last of the trio to be brought to justice, was convicted on multiple counts of first-degree robbery and second-degree assault for his role in the crime.
