Fong Wong, 45, was killed on September 4, 1977, in San Francisco’s Golden Dragon Restaurant during the shooting now known as the Golden Dragon massacre. The attack lasted less than a minute and was carried out inside the Chinatown eatery by three teenage members of the Joe Boys, who fired with the stated aim of hitting Wah Ching gang members but instead struck patrons. Five bystanders were killed and 11 others were wounded; Fong Wong was among the five who died.

The massacre was described as the culmination of a long-running violent rivalry between the Joe Boys and the Wah Ching over control of illegal activities in Chinatown. Several Joe Boys were arrested and charged in connection with the attack, and the ensuing legal process involved multiple trials and appeals. The killings intensified the city’s response to gang violence and had a lasting impact on the community.