Jiverly Wong

Mass Murderer

Jiverly Wong and the 2009 Binghamton American Civic Association Massacre

Background

Jiverly Antares Wong was responsible for a mass shooting at the American Civic Association in Binghamton, New York, on April 3, 2009. Wong killed 13 people and seriously wounded four others before taking his own life. The attack occurred inside an organization devoted to helping immigrants and refugees adjust to life in the United States through English-language instruction, citizenship preparation, employment assistance, and other community services. Wong was born Linh Phat Voong in South Vietnam on December 8, 1967. He immigrated to the United States with his family in 1990 and later became a naturalized American citizen. He legally changed his name to Jiverly Antares Wong, although his surname was sometimes reported as Voong. By 2009, he was living in Johnson City, New York, near Binghamton. Wong had lived at different times in New York and California and had worked in manufacturing and industrial employment. People who encountered him described a man who struggled to communicate in English and appeared increasingly isolated. He had previously attended English classes at the American Civic Association, but his attendance was irregular, and he stopped going before the massacre.

Employment Problems and Reported Grievances

In the period before the shooting, Wong had lost his job at a vacuum-cleaner manufacturing facility in nearby Endicott. Reports indicated that he had been upset about unemployment, financial problems, and what he believed was disrespectful treatment by other people. He reportedly felt humiliated by his limited English skills and believed that police officers and members of the community had treated him unfairly. Shortly before the attack, Wong mailed a handwritten letter to a television station. The letter contained disorganized complaints about police, employment difficulties, language problems, and perceived mistreatment. He claimed that police officers had repeatedly harassed him, although investigators did not find evidence supporting the broad accusations contained in the letter. The letter did not provide a clear or rational explanation for his decision to murder people at the civic center. Authorities ultimately described the precise motive as uncertain. The victims were primarily immigrants, civic-center employees, and students who had no known connection to Wong's personal grievances.

Preparations for the Attack

On the morning of Friday, April 3, 2009, Wong traveled to the American Civic Association at 131 Front Street in Binghamton. He carried two semiautomatic pistols: a 9-millimeter Beretta 92FS Vertec Inox and a .45-caliber Beretta Px4 Storm. Both weapons were listed on his New York State pistol permit. He also carried additional ammunition and a hunting knife. Wong wore body armor beneath or with his clothing. He arrived in a vehicle registered to his father and deliberately positioned it against the building's rear entrance. By blocking that doorway, he restricted one of the primary escape routes available to the people inside. At approximately 10:30 a.m., Wong approached the front entrance. The building contained students attending English and citizenship classes, instructors, employees, volunteers, and other visitors. Many of the people present had come to the United States seeking security, education, employment, or a better future for their families. ...

Confirmed Victims: (13)

Parveen Ali 26 yr old Female

Binghamton