How a Chinese gang fight in 1871 LA triggered the largest lynching in US history

The Los Angeles Chinese Massacre of 1871

On October 24, 1871, a gunfight between rival Chinese groups turned deadly when a white rancher got caught in crossfire.

What started as local gang violence quickly became something much worse. Within hours, 500 angry residents stormed LA’s old Chinatown, looting homes and killing 18 Chinese men and boys. Most attackers walked free despite murder charges.

Here’s what happened in what’s now downtown LA, where you can visit the historic site today.

Two Chinese Groups Started Fighting Over a Woman

Tensions had been building for months between rival Chinese factions over Yut Ho, a woman kidnapped by Lee Young’s group back in March. Her husband belonged to the opposing side, and by October 1871, their feud had escalated into shootings.

Los Angeles was a rough frontier town of 6,000 people with only six police officers. The day before the massacre, Won Choy and Yo Hing from opposite factions faced off in court over a recent shooting, but the hearing settled nothing.

The Court Session Ended With Everyone Still Angry

After the afternoon proceedings, both sides returned to Negro Alley, the town’s notorious vice district lined with saloons, gambling halls, and brothels. More than half of Los Angeles’ 172 Chinese residents lived in the cramped adobe buildings along this unpaved street.

Won Choy and his ally had been charged with trying to kill Yo Hing, while Yo Hing faced the same accusation. The legal system had failed to resolve their dispute, and everyone knew trouble was brewing.

A Second Gunfight Broke Out an Hour Later

The rival factions clashed again around one hour after court ended. This time, Won Choy caught a fatal bullet to the neck during the shootout. Ah Choy was eating his evening meal when he heard the gunfire erupt outside.

Violence was so common in Negro Alley that most residents initially thought this was just another gang fight that would blow over, but the killing of Won Choy changed everything.

Police Officer Bilderrain Walked Into the Gunfire

Constable Jesus Bilderrain heard about the shooting and went to investigate. He patrolled the area, stopping at a gun shop where the owner mentioned selling many pistols recently.

When Bilderrain entered the Coronel Building to arrest the shooters, gunmen opened fire on him. Bullets hit his right shoulder and wrist, while his brother caught one in the leg.

The wounded officer called for help as the Chinese shooters barricaded themselves inside the building.

A Popular Townsman Died Trying to Help

Several civilians rushed to assist the bleeding officer, including Robert Thompson, a well-liked former saloon owner turned rancher. Thompson charged forward to help but took a bullet to the chest.

Townspeople carried him to a nearby apothecary, where he died two hours later from his wounds. Meanwhile, the Chinese gunmen remained holed up in the Coronel Building as word of Thompson’s death began spreading through the small town.

The Sheriff Surrounded the Building as Rumors Spread

When the sheriff arrived, he quickly deputized several men with orders to guard the Coronel Building and prevent anyone from escaping. News of Thompson’s death raced through Los Angeles, but the story grew darker with each telling.

Rumors spread that “the Chinese were killing white people,” transforming what had started as a tong war into something far more dangerous as angry residents began gathering in the streets.

Five Hundred Angry Residents Formed a Lynch Mob

The crowd swelled to 500 people, representing ten percent of the city’s entire population. They surrounded the Coronel Building where the Chinese shooters had taken refuge.

“American blood had been shed,” one participant later recalled, expressing shock that Chinese residents “had dared fire on whites.”

The gathering turned into a lynch mob as people shouted “Hang them! Hang them!” while searching for ways to get inside the building.

The Mob Broke Through the Roof and Dragged People Out

Vigilantes climbed onto the Coronel Building and smashed through the roof tiles to get inside. They pulled out every Chinese man they found, regardless of whether he’d been involved in the original shooting.

During the assault, rioters fired shots through doorways where Chinese women were standing. The mob then began dragging their captives toward makeshift gallows they’d constructed at two nearby locations.

Eighteen People Died in Three Hours of Terror

The lynchings took place at Tomlinson’s corral and Goller’s wagon shop.

When John Goller protested that his children were watching, a rioter pressed a gun to his face. After hanging seven victims from Goller’s crossbeam, the mob dragged three more to a freight wagon and strung them up from its side.

They killed eighteen Chinese men and boys, including some as young as 15, while looting homes and businesses throughout Chinatown. Only one victim had actually participated in the original gunfight.

Justice Failed Completely in the Aftermath

The next morning, seventeen bodies lay in the jail yard with ropes still around their necks and bullet wounds covering their faces. A grand jury issued 25 murder indictments, but only ten men went to trial.

Eight received manslaughter convictions, but all were overturned on legal technicalities. No one was ever retried, meaning nobody served significant prison time for one of the largest mass lynchings in American history.

Visiting The Chinatown Heritage Center, Los Angeles I

You’ll find the Chinese American Museum at 425 North Los Angeles Street inside the historic 1890 Garnier Building, which was built right where the original Chinatown stood.

The museum’s permanent exhibit “Origins” covers the 1871 massacre with historical photos and timeline displays.

Look for the small sidewalk plaque embedded in the street outside that marks where the violence happened. The museum is free and takes about 30 minutes to explore.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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