Six arrested in mass shooting that shook Fresno’s Hmong community

FRESNO POLICE DEPARTMENT

Fresno Police Chief Andy Hall at a press conference Dec. 31.

ASAM NEWS

Fresno police announced New Year's Eve the arrests of six people in the killings of four members of the Hmong community and injuries to several others, reports the Fresno Bee.

All six suspects have been identified as members of the Mongolian Boys Society Gang. The killings on November 17 at a backyard party were in retaliation for another homicide  earlier that day of Randy Xiong, 28.

The Visalia Delta Times reports at least one of those attending the party was a member of the Asian Crips, a rival gang the Mongolian Boys blamed for Xiong’s killing.

Police would not say if any of those shot at the backyard party were members of the Asian Crips.

“We see them as victims,” said Police Chief Andy Hall, according to the Delta Times.

Under arrest are Billy Xiong, 25; Anthony Montes, 27; Porge Kue, 26; Jhovanny Delgado, 19, Pao Vang, 30, and Johnny Xiong, 25; all of Fresno.

Prosecutors say it’s possible they may go for the death penalty in the case, although they did not say which of the suspects arrested carried out the shooting.

According to the Fresno Bee, the case broke open during a Dec. 17 traffic stop in nearby Clovis.Police discovered a fully automatic Glock pistol in Billy Xiong’s car which was traced to the backyard party shootings.

Sia Vang, 23, a person of interest in the mass shooting, remains outstanding.

"The shooting affected not only the city but also really impacted our Hmong American community," Hall said in the Tuesday press conference.

Members of the Fresno Hmong community were concerned that the apparent links to Asian gangs would cast a negative light on the entire community.

The Hmong fled their traditional native lands after the US left Vietnam in 1975 because they had allied themselves to the US.

After fleeing to Thailand, about 300,000 were granted refugee status and allowed to come to the US. Fresno is home to about 30,000 Hmong, the largest Hmong community in the US.

About 46 people had gathered at a Fresno home Nov. 17 to watch a football game. Sixteen men were in the backyard when one or more of the suspects entered the yard and began shooting. 

Killed in that shooting were Phia Vang, 31; Kou Xiong, 38; Kakaxang Thao, 40 and Xy Lee, 23.

"We will work hard to bring peace and comfort to the city of Fresno as we close the page on a very difficult year," Mayor Lee Brand said of what he called a "terrible event that shook Fresno to its core."

"The promise of protection can’t stop with arrests," he said. "We have to remain vigilant and stay alert."

Views From the Edge contributed to this report.