Summary
Name:
Benjamin NgYears Active:
1983Status:
ImprisonedClass:
Mass MurdererVictims:
13+Method:
ShootingNationality:
USASummary: Mass Murderer
Name:
Benjamin NgStatus:
ImprisonedVictims:
13+Method:
ShootingNationality:
USAYears Active:
1983Benjamin Ng was born in 1962. He grew up in a community with a concentration of Chinese immigrants in Seattle, Washington. As a young man, he attended school in Seattle and formed a friendship with Kwan Fai "Willie" Mak, a fellow student. They both were familiar with the local gambling scene
In the early 1980s, Benjamin Ng, along with his accomplices, was thinking about robbing a gambling club known as Wah Mee. This club was located in Seattle’s Chinatown and had a reputation for high-stakes gambling. At this time, he was motivated by financial troubles, especially those tied to gambling debts.
On February 18, 1983, Benjamin Ng, along with Kwan Fai "Willie" Mak and Wai-Chiu "Tony" Ng, entered the Wah Mee gambling club in Seattle, Washington. The club operated illegally in a basement and was popular among members of the Chinese community. The three men planned to rob the club and end the lives of the patrons inside.
The assailants used their knowledge of the club to gain entry and started by hog-tieing fourteen victims. Shortly after securing the victims, they opened fire on them. Thirteen people were killed, while one survived to identify the shooters. This survivor managed to escape and provided evidence that would be critical in the following trials.
Benjamin Ng and Willie Mak were arrested within hours after the murders. Tony Ng managed to flee the United States, hiding in Calgary, Alberta, for nearly two years. Eventually, he was extradited back to the U.S. to face charges. The crimes committed that night would lead to one of the highest-profile trials in Seattle history.
In 1983, Benjamin Ng was charged with 13 counts of aggravated first-degree murder. He stood trial and was convicted, receiving a sentence of life in prison. Willie Mak also received a life sentence but was initially sentenced to death. Tony Ng was found guilty of robbery and assault, avoiding the murder charges due to his defense claiming he acted under duress.
The Wah Mee massacre remains one of the worst mass murders in Washington state's history, affecting many families and the wider community. Benjamin Ng continues to serve his life sentence without the possibility of parole.
