2009 Binghamton shooting

Mass shooting in New York, U.S. December 2025 April 2026 Yes American Civic Association, Binghamton, New York, U.S. region:US-NY_type:event dms inline,title 10 2009 4 3 10:30 10:33a.m. EDT Mass shooting mass murder murder-suicide 14 (including the perpetrator) 4 Jiverly Antares Wong * 9mm Beretta 92FS Vertec Inox semi-automatic pistol .45 caliber Beretta Px4 Storm semi-automatic pistolMcFadden Robert D. April 3, 2009 13 Shot Dead During a Class on Citizenship https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/04/nyregion/04hostage.html The New York Times en-US 0362-4331 Unknown; possibly revenge over paranoid delusions of alleged police harassment campaign On April 3, 2009, a mass shooting occurred at the American Civic Association immigration center in Binghamton, New York. At approximately 10:30 a.m. EDT, Jiverly Wong (also known as Jiverly Voong) entered the facility and killed thirteen people and wounded four others before committing suicide. It is the deadliest mass shooting in the state of New York.Briga Vince April 3, 2024 15 years later: Site of state's deadliest mass shooting continues mission https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/news/2024/04/02/aca-mass-shooting-15-years-later Spectrum News en Shooting At about 10:30 a.m. EDT, Jiverly Wong barricaded the rear door of the Binghamton American Civic Association building with a vehicle registered in his father's name.https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/04/nyregion/04hostage.html Hostages Taken in Binghamton, N.Y. April 3, 2009 April 3, 2009 The New York Times Robert D. McFadden April 2, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190402145009/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/04/nyregion/04hostage.html liveNegotiators Work to Save Victims and Suspects ABC News April 3, 2009 https://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=7250177&page=1 April 8, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190408115806/https://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=7250177&page=1 live He was described as wearing a bullet-proof vest,https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gJkIIKfdTrpMZyiQPW7SWmCNR2HAD97BV6580 As NY gunman's life unraveled, he took others' Rubinkam Michael April 4, 2009 Associated Press April 5, 2009 April 8, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090408071104/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gJkIIKfdTrpMZyiQPW7SWmCNR2HAD97BV6580 dead a bright green nylon jacket, and dark-rimmed glasses.https://www.foxnews.com/story/gunman-kills-13-himself-at-upstate-new-york-immigrant-center Gunman Kills 13, Himself at Upstate New York Immigrant Center Donaldson-Evans Catherine April 3, 2009 Associated Press April 3, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090406124723/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,512476,00.html April 6, 2009 live Wong entered through the front door, firing a number of bullets at people in his path. At 10:31 a.m., Broome County Communications received several 911 calls, and the first police were dispatched to the scene.http://www.wbng.com/news/shooting/42499947.html Police paint rescue timeline April 5, 2009 April 6, 2009 WBNG-TV dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090408190859/http://www.wbng.com/news/shooting/42499947.html April 8, 2009 Two of the Civic Association's receptionists were among the first victims shot.https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g8-DEMtAE9q4i4ySQ0eV_qZefmRQD97B83N81 AP Top News at 5:38 p.m. April 3, 2009 The Associated Press April 3, 2009 April 6, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090406122859/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g8-DEMtAE9q4i4ySQ0eV_qZefmRQD97B83N81 dead While one of the receptionists was reported to have been shot through the head and killed,https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/03/AR2009040301774.html?hpid=topnews Gunman Kills at Least 13 in Binghamton, N.Y. Branigin William April 3, 2009 The Washington Post April 3, 2009 December 3, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161203154842/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/03/AR2009040301774.html?hpid=topnews live the second, shot in the stomach, feigned death and, when the gunman moved on, took cover under a desk and called 911. The receptionist's call was taken by 911 staff at 10:38 a.m., when police had already arrived at the scene.http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2009/04/05/2009-04-05_no_way_police_could_have_saved_jiverly_w.html No way police could have saved Jiverly Wong's 13 Binghamton victims, officials say April 7, 2009 New York Daily News April 5, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090407093950/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2009/04/05/2009-04-05_no_way_police_could_have_saved_jiverly_w.html April 7, 2009 The wounded receptionist, 61-year-old Shirley DeLucia, remained on the line for 39 minutes, despite her gunshot wound, and relayed information until she was rescued.http://www.mercurynews.com/crime/ci_12068204 Gunman blocks N.Y. center's door, kills 13, self William Kates San Jose Mercury News April 3, 2009 April 3, 2009 March 3, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160303195832/http://www.mercurynews.com/crime/ci_12068204 live She later recounted that the gunman had opened fire without saying anything. The gunman entered a classroom just off the main reception areas, where an ESL class was being given to students. Out of the 16 people in the room, Wong shot 13 of them, including the professor.http://gobroomecounty.com/files/pdfs/Broome%20County%20ACA%20Shooting%20After%20Action%20Report.pdf American Civic Association Shooting: After-Action Report & Improvement Plan Beck Disaster Recovery September 2009 October 18, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20160303210515/http://gobroomecounty.com/files/pdfs/Broome%20County%20ACA%20Shooting%20After%20Action%20Report.pdf March 3, 2016 dead He then took dozens of other students hostage. Police arrived within minutes of the first 911 calls. Hearing the alarms, Wong committed suicide by shooting himself at 10:33 a.m., Binghamton Shootings https://www.chds.us/c/timeline/binghamton-shootings/ Center for Homeland Defense and Security en-US less than two minutesApril 1, 2010 Lives altered by N.Y. mass shootings a year ago https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna36136930 NBC News en after he first opened fire.https://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=7249853&page=1 Binghamton Rampage Leaves 14 Dead, Police Don't Know Motive April 3, 2009 April 3, 2009 ABC News April 5, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190405114542/https://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=7249853&page=1 livehttps://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE5324JP20090404 Police say N.Y. immigrant shooter's act no surprise April 4, 2009 Reuters April 5, 2009https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090405/ap_on_re_us/binghamton_shootings As gunman's life fell apart, he took others' April 4, 2009 April 4, 2009 The Associated Press dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090408164321/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090405/ap_on_re_us/binghamton_shootings April 8, 2009http://edition.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/04/03/binghamton.shooting/index.html Official: Hostages held after 'multiple' shootings April 3, 2009 April 3, 2009 CNN September 10, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190910120433/http://edition.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/04/03/binghamton.shooting/index.html live In all, Wong fired 99 rounds: 88 from a 9mm Beretta and 11 from a .45-caliber Beretta.http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/03/shooting-in-binghamton/ Shooting in Binghamton, N.Y. Seelye Katharine Q April 3, 2009 The New York Times April 3, 2009 February 11, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180211193206/https://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/03/shooting-in-binghamton/ livehttp://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=ajZkPiomE8g4 Binghamton Killer Fired 99 Shots From Two Handguns, Police Say Green Peter S. April 8, 2009 Bloomberg.com April 8, 2009 February 23, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120223053209/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=ajZkPiomE8g4 deadhttp://www.pressconnects.com/article/20090407/NEWS01/90407033/1104/COMMUN05 Police: Shooter unloads 98 rounds in rampage Hill John April 7, 2009 Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin April 7, 2009 October 2010 H3llBot Police response Police remained at the perimeter of the property, having locked down nearby Binghamton High School and a number of streets in the area.http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/0403/breaking57.htm Man shoots at least 12, takes 41 hostage in New York April 3, 2009 April 3, 2009 The Irish Times At one point, not knowing if the gunman was alive or dead, police summoned Broome Community College Assistant Professor Tuong Hung Nguyen, who is fluent in Vietnamese, to help communicate with Wong in the event of contact.http://www.pressconnects.com/article/20090403/NEWS01/904030434 IBM denies Hinchey claim that shooter was laid off from IBM Press Connect April 3, 2009July 2017 InternetArchiveBot yes SWAT members entered the Civic Center building and began clearing it at 11:13 a.m., 43 minutes after the first call to the police at 10:30 a.m., and 40 minutes after patrol officers first arrived on the scene at 10:33 a.m.https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gJkIIKfdTrpMZyiQPW7SWmCNR2HAD97CR9B00 Questions remain in aftermath of NY shootings April 6, 2009 Rubinkam Michael Associated Press April 8, 2009 April 9, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090409074720/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gJkIIKfdTrpMZyiQPW7SWmCNR2HAD97CR9B00 dead At the time of their entry, they had not yet confirmed that Wong had committed suicide, and they proceeded with caution. At approximately noon, ten people left the building, with another ten following approximately forty minutes later. Some of the hostages had escaped to a basement, while more than a dozen remained hidden in a closet. Thanh Huynh, a high school teacher of Vietnamese background, was asked to interpret so the Vietnamese survivors could be interviewed by the police.https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/04/nyregion/04civic.html In a Town With Few Immigrants, an Unlikely Horror Fernandez Manny April 3, 2009 The New York Times April 3, 2009 April 9, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090409050801/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/04/nyregion/04civic.html live Wong was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, in the first-floor classroom with his victims.https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iTkwh0jekRrls-b8ugkObNpK6XsQD97B7TGG0 Police: 14 killed in NY immigrant center shooting Kates William April 3, 2009 Associated Press April 3, 2009 April 6, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090406052426/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iTkwh0jekRrls-b8ugkObNpK6XsQD97B7TGG0 dead Items found on Wong's body included a hunting knife in the waistband of his pants; a bag of ammunition which was tied around his neck;http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-binghamton-shooting-hostage4-2009apr04,0,4181574.story Binghamton, N.Y., gunman kills 13 Muskal Michael April 3, 2009 Los Angeles Times April 3, 2009 December 10, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191210073851/http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-binghamton-shooting-hostage4-2009apr04,0,4181574.story live and two semi-automatic pistols (a .45-caliber Beretta Px4 Storm and a 9mm Beretta 92FS Vertec Inox matching the serial numbers on his New York State pistol license). Also found at the scene were a number of loaded magazines, at least two empty magazines with a 30-round capacity each, and a firearm laser sight. By 2:33 p.m., SWAT had completed the clearing of the building, and all those inside had been evacuated.http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2009/04/building_cleared_after_a_day_o.html Binghamton in shock as police investigate mass murder Baker Robert A. April 3, 2009 The Post-Standard April 7, 2009 April 6, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090406001537/http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2009/04/building_cleared_after_a_day_o.html live Victims Wong killed 13 people and critically wounded four. An account of each of the victims was published in The New York Times on April 6, 2009.https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/06/nyregion/06victims.html Binghamton Victims Shared a Dream of Living Better Lives Fernandez Manny Hernandez Javier April 5, 2009 The New York Times April 6, 2009 November 19, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161119185342/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/06/nyregion/06victims.html live Eight were residents of Binghamton, three were from Endicott, one was from Endwell, and one was from Greene.April 3, 2013 Remembering the victims of the ACA shooting in Binghamton https://www.pressconnects.com/story/news/local/2019/03/27/aca-american-civic-association-binghamton-shooting-victims-obituaries/3224600002/ Press & Sun-Bulletin en-US Killed Parveen Ali, age 26, an immigrant from northern Pakistanhttp://www.pressconnects.com/article/20090405/NEWS01/90405010 Two victims will be buried today April 5, 2009 pressconnects.com April 5, 2009 October 2010 H3llBot Almir Olímpio Alves, age 43, a visiting scholar of Brazil's University of Pernambuco April 6, 2009 A look at victims of the Binghamton, NY, shootings https://www.recordonline.com/story/news/2009/04/06/a-look-at-victims-binghamton/52039625007/ Times Herald-Record en-US at Binghamton University, attending English classes at the Civic Associationhttp://www.estadao.com.br/noticias/internacional,professor-brasileiro-e-um-dos-14-mortos-no-massacre-de-ny,350457,0.htm Professor brasileiro é um dos 14 mortos no massacre de NY estadao.com April 5, 2009 April 5, 2009 April 8, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090408065422/http://www.estadao.com.br/noticias/internacional,professor-brasileiro-e-um-dos-14-mortos-no-massacre-de-ny,350457,0.htm live Marc Henry Bernard, age 44, an immigrant from Haiti, married to Mariahttp://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/04/05/binghamton.shooting/index.html?eref=rss_topstories Police defend response to Binghamton mass shooting April 5, 2009 CNN April 6, 2009 April 6, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090406141523/http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/04/05/binghamton.shooting/index.html?eref=rss_topstories live Maria Sonia Bernard, age 46, an immigrant from Haiti, married to Marc Li Guo, age 47, a visiting scholar of China's Shenzhen University at Binghamton University Lan Ho, age 39, an immigrant from Vietnam Layla Khalil, age 53, a mother of three children who immigrated from Iraqhttp://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008986728_shoot05.html Gunman had lost job, felt "degraded" Harnandez Javier C Rivera, Ray April 5, 2009 The New York Times The Seattle Times April 5, 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090406183655/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008986728_shoot05.html April 6, 2009 Roberta Badaines King, age 72, an English as a second language substitute teacherRobbins Liz Victim of Binghamton Shootings Is Remembered for Her Compassion https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/05/nyregion/05King.html April 22, 2026 The New York Times April 5, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090415235234/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/05/nyregion/05King.html April 15, 2009 live subscription Jiang Ling, age 22, an immigrant from China Hong Xiu Mao, age 35, a nail technician who also immigrated from China in 2006http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2009/04/05/2009-04-05_binghamton_massacre_victim_brought_joy_t.html Binghamton massacre victim brought joy to those around her, pal recalls Lysiak Matt Goldsmith Samuel April 5, 2009 New York Daily News April 5, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090407093939/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2009/04/05/2009-04-05_binghamton_massacre_victim_brought_joy_t.html April 7, 2009 dead Dolores "Doris" Carbonilas Yigal, age 53, an immigrant from the Philippines Haihong Zhong, age 54, an immigrant from China Maria "Mima" Zobniw, age 60, a part-time caseworker at the Civic Association, originally from Austria born to Ukrainian parentsSieh Maureen 2009-04-08 Binghamton shooting victim remembered as the bedrock of Ukrainian community https://www.syracuse.com/metrovoices/2009/04/binghamton_shooting_victim_rem.html Syracuse en Wounded The injured were treated for gunshot wounds at Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City and Our Lady of Lourdes Memorial Hospital in Binghamton.http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/04/03/binghamton.shooting/index.html Gunman barricaded back door before rampage, police say Candiotti Susan Marylynn Ryan Carol Crattydate CNN April 3, 2009 April 3, 2009 April 6, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090406034851/http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/04/03/binghamton.shooting/index.html liveGovernor confirms fatalities in NY state shooting April 3, 2009 https://www.dailybreeze.com/2009/04/03/governor-confirms-fatalities-in-ny-state-shooting/ Associated Press April 3, 2009 December 30, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181230081115/https://www.dailybreeze.com/2009/04/03/governor-confirms-fatalities-in-ny-state-shooting/ live Shirley DeLucia, age 61, the Civic Association receptionist who feigned death and contacted policehttps://www.wsj.com/articles/SB123884969179589719 Binghamton Shooting Victims Identified Phillips Matt April 4, 2009 Associated Press April 5, 2009 April 6, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150406134252/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB123884969179589719 live Long Huynh, age 42,http://www.winnipegsun.com/news/world/2009/04/06/9031616-sun.html Family shattered by Binghamton massacre Parent Marie-Joelle Winnipeg Sun April 6, 2009 April 8, 2009 September 28, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110928083934/http://www.winnipegsun.com/news/world/2009/04/06/9031616-sun.html live a Vietnamese immigrant whose wife, Lan Ho, was killed. Huynh had tried to shield her with his body,http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2009/04/06/2009-04-06_survivor_of_binghamton_massacre_tried_in.html Survivor of Binghamton massacre tried in vain to save his wife Kemp Joe Matthew Lysiak Samuel Goldsmith New York Daily News April 6, 2009 April 8, 2009 April 8, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090408042811/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2009/04/06/2009-04-06_survivor_of_binghamton_massacre_tried_in.html live but a bullet that shattered Huynh's elbow ricocheted, striking and killing his wife. Huynh was wounded three more times: he lost a finger to a shot, was hit by a bullet in his chest, and another bullet entered his chin and exited through his cheek. Perpetrator thumb|Undated mugshot of Wong provided by Binghamton police Jiverly Antares Wong (born Linh Phat Voong, vi Huỳnh Linh Phát;April 20, 2009 Jiverly Wong không có gốc Việt https://www.bbc.com/vietnamese/vietnam/2009/04/090420_jiverly_origin BBC News Tiếng Việt vi April 6, 2009 Ngày đẫm máu ở Mỹ: 3 vụ nổ súng, 23 người chết https://anninhthudo.vn/ngay-dam-mau-o-my-3-vu-no-sung-23-nguoi-chet-post45734.antd Báo Điện tử An ninh Thủ đô viApril 5, 2009 Nghi can vụ thảm sát ở New York là người Việt gốc Hoa https://nld.com.vn/thoi-su-quoc-te/nghi-can-vu-tham-sat-o-new-york-la-nguoi-viet-goc-hoa-20090405101928889.htm Báo Người Lao Động December 8, 1967 – April 3, 2009), a resident of Johnson City, New York, was identified as the perpetrator.https://tucson.com/news/ny-gunman-angry-over-poor-english-skills-job-loss/article_68e414b1-6b65-5e59-a5aa-387bd218b457.html NY gunman angry over poor English skills, job loss Kates William April 4, 2009 Associated Press April 4, 2009 December 30, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181230233322/https://tucson.com/news/ny-gunman-angry-over-poor-english-skills-job-loss/article_68e414b1-6b65-5e59-a5aa-387bd218b457.html liveKiller Complained of 'Poor Life' in Letter Thompson Carolyn Associated Press AOL News April 6, 2009 http://news.aol.com/article/binghamton-shooting/414210?icid=main https://web.archive.org/web/20090410004045/http://news.aol.com/article/binghamton-shooting/414210?icid=main April 10, 2009 April 7, 2009 liveApril 3, 2009 Police: 14 killed in NY immigrant center shooting https://wpde.com/news/local/police-14-killed-in-ny-immigrant-center-shooting-10-23-2015 live https://web.archive.org/web/20230213082644/https://wpde.com/news/local/police-14-killed-in-ny-immigrant-center-shooting-10-23-2015 February 13, 2023 December 2, 2019 WPDE Sinclair Broadcast Group Wong was born in South Vietnamhttp://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2009/04/06/2009-04-06_sister_of_binghamton_gunman_jiverly_wong.html/ Sister of Binghamton gunman Jiverly Wong says family didn't know he would explode Siemaszko Corky April 6, 2009 New York Daily News April 6, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090408042849/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2009/04/06/2009-04-06_sister_of_binghamton_gunman_jiverly_wong.html April 8, 2009 deadAs gunman's life fell apart, he took others' https://web.archive.org/web/20090412214624/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090404/ap_on_re_us/binghamton_shootings April 12, 2009 , Associated Press, April 4, 2009 as the second of four childrenhttps://www.syracuse.com/news/2009/04/jiverly_wongs_father_our_son_w.html Jiverly Wong's father: What prompted mass killing in Binghamton remains a mystery Huynh Ngoc April 13, 2009 syracuse en December 2, 2019 November 5, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191105141356/https://www.syracuse.com/news/2009/04/jiverly_wongs_father_our_son_w.html live into a Buddhist ethnic Chinese family,Fernandez Manny Schweber Nate April 11, 2009 In Binghamton, Failure and Paranoia Preceded a Massacre https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/12/nyregion/12binghamton.html The New York Times en-US 0362-4331 which the online US-based news blogApril 17, 2008 Fired Little Saigon newspaper editor starts own blog https://www.ocregister.com/2008/04/17/fired-little-saigon-newspaper-editor-starts-own-blog/ Orange County Register en-US Bolsavik identified as Chinese Nùng, based on the spelling of their surname. April 5, 2009 Chân tướng sát thủ Jiverly Wong https://thanhnien.vn/chan-tuong-sat-thu-jiverly-wong-185339068.htm Báo Thanh Niên vi His father was a captain in the South Vietnamese Army. Wong and his parents, Henry Voong and Mui Thong, emigrated from Saigon in June 1990, arriving in the United States the following month, where their surname was romanized as Voong. April 13, 2009 Timeline: Key events in the saga of Binghamton gunman Jiverly Wong https://www.syracuse.com/news/2009/04/timeline_key_events_in_the_sag_1.html Syracuse en Initially living in Binghamton with his parents and siblings, within a year, he moved out of the family home to a separate apartment in Binghamton, finding employment at Felchar Manufacturer. A few months later, he moved to the Los Angeles area in 1991. Between the 1990s and 2000s, Wong regularly traveled back and forth between Los Angeles and New York, though without visiting his family. In California, Wong was arrested twice, once in 1991 for an unknown chargeBaker Al Robbins Liz April 7, 2009 Police Had Few Contacts With Killer https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/08/nyregion/08binghamton.html The New York Times en-US 0362-4331 and a second time in 1992, this time leading to a conviction on a misdemeanor charge of fraud for forgery.http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,512605,00.html Families Bury Binghamton, N.Y. Shooting Victims; New Details Emerge About Gunman Maskaly Michelle Fox News April 5, 2009 April 5, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090406181435/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,512605,00.html April 6, 2009 dead Wong became a naturalized American citizen in November 1995, changing his name from Linh Phat Voong to Jiverly Antares Wong shortly after, reasoning that "Americans can't pronounce my real name", though he also used the name Jiverly Voong as an alias,April 4, 2009 Gunman in Binghamton, N.Y., complained about being jobless https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/gunman-in-binghamton-n-y-complained-about-being-jobless-1.803582 CBCApril 5, 2009 Police begin New York siege probe http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7983463.stm BBC News en-GB retaining an identity card with this spelling.Baum Geraldine Gorman Anna April 4, 2009 Binghamton, N.Y., mass shooting leaves some dead https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-apr-04-na-binghamton-shooting-hostage4-story.html Los Angeles Times en-US In FebruaryApril 7, 2009 Gunmen in mass killings had permits https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna30094954 NBC News en and June 1997, he registered guns in Broome County, New York, where he became a member of two shooting clubs. Shortly after, he acquired another gun license in California. In August 1998, while living in Johnson City, Wong filed a report with police, claiming someone had broken into his apartment through a damaged window. It was determined that the window pane may have popped out of its frame due to wear and as there were no other signs of a break-in, the matter was not further investigated. Two days later, Wong was fined $20 for driving an uninspected vehicle. In 1999, New York State Police received a report by an informant that Wong was planning a bank robbery, which also alleged that he had a crack cocaine addiction and owned several handguns. Wong was not further investigated and no robbery occurred.April 5, 2013 Possible motive in Binghamton shooting rampage https://abc7chicago.com/archive/6745101/ ABC7 Chicago enApril 4, 2009 Binghamton struggles to understand why gunman killed 13 https://edition.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/04/04/binghamton.shooting/index.html?iref=mpstoryview CNN Wong left the U.S. the same year for Tokyo, only to re-enter on December 25, 1999. Two days before his return, Wong married Xiu Ping Jiang. In 2000, Wong moved to Inglewood, California, residing on Century Boulevard between September 2000 and September 2007, being noted once by police for a fender bender traffic incident. Wong worked for almost seven years as a delivery man for Kikka Sushi, a catering company located in Los Angeles.http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/04/08/ny.shooting/index.html?iref=mpstoryview NY gunman fired 98 shots in about a minute, police chief says CNN April 8, 2009 April 8, 2009 April 11, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090411102837/http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/04/08/ny.shooting/index.html?iref=mpstoryview live In May 2005, Wong and his wife separated, with her filing for divorce in July 2005, which was granted in July 2006, citing irreconcilable differences. Wong failed to show up to work one day in July 2007. The same year, he moved back with his parents, now living in Union, telling his father he had been fired from his job as a truck driver. However, co-workers stated that Wong had quit the job without any reason. Later, he called the company to get a copy of his W-2 earnings statement in 2008, asking that it be forwarded to a New York state address.http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-binghamton-shooting-hosta-2009apr04,0,956695.story Shootings in Binghamton, N.Y., 'truly an American tragedy' Baum Geraldine Anna Gorman April 3, 2009 Los Angeles Times April 4, 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090404134122/http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-binghamton-shooting-hosta-2009apr04%2C0%2C956695.story April 4, 2009 Wong worked at a local Shop-Vac vacuum cleaner plant until it closed in November 2008.http://www.stargazette.com/article/20090405/NEWS01/904050364/1117 Community looks for answers Hill John Dooling Nancy April 5, 2009 stargazette.com April 7, 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090408235922/http://www.stargazette.com/article/20090405/NEWS01/904050364/1117 April 8, 2009 By that point, Wong had again started visiting shooting ranges in Binghamton. After losing his job, Wong had regular appointments at Binghamton's employment center to receive his Trade Adjustment Assistance. On his first visit in November 2008, he left the center in anger after the receptionist, intending to call a translator, asked him if he was Chinese or Japanese. The center suggested that Wong take English classes to improve work prospects and subsequently enrolled at a language course at the ACA immigration center in January 2009, attending the same class as two of his later victims, Long Huynh and Lan Ho, with the former recalling that despite also being Vietnamese, Wong hardly spoke during the courses. His attendance was intermittent, and he stopped coming altogether in March 2009. He shot the students and teacher in the classroom where he had formerly attended sessions. Possible motives Several sources suggested possible motives for Wong's attack, including feelings of being "degraded and disrespected" for his poor English language skills, depression over losing his job, and difficulty in finding work in New York. Neighbors additionally suspected that Wong had an addiction to drugs. Binghamton Police Chief Joseph Zikuski said, "From the people close to him ... this action he took was not a surprise to them." Former coworkers stated that Wong talked about assassinating Barack Obamahttp://www.nydailynews.com/news/2009/04/04/2009-04-04_who_is_jiverly_voong_aka_jiverly_wong_co.html Who is Jiverly Voong aka Jiverly Wong? Conflicting picture of Binghamton gunman emerges Kemp Joe New York Daily News April 4, 2009 April 5, 2009 April 7, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090407060151/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2009/04/04/2009-04-04_who_is_jiverly_voong_aka_jiverly_wong_co.html live and once said, in response to a question if he liked the New York Yankees, "No, I don't like that team. I don't like America. America sucks.". Package mailed to TV station Several days after the shooting, an envelope was received by the Syracuse, New York, TV station News 10 Now dated March 18, 2009, and postmarked April 3, 2009, the day of the shooting.http://www.orlandosentinel.com/orl-bk-ny-gunman-letter-040609,0,6483348.story READ IT: Transcript of letter purportedly sent by NY gunman April 6, 2009 April 6, 2009 orlandosentinel.com Associated Press https://web.archive.org/web/20090410205920/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/orl-bk-ny-gunman-letter-040609,0,6483348.story April 10, 2009 dead The three stamps used for the postage were a Liberty Bell and two Purple Hearts.April 2026 The package contained a two-page handwritten letter; photos of Wong, holding guns while smiling; a gun permit; and Wong's driver's license. Of the letter itself, most of its content was a rambling, paranoid accusation of perceived police misconduct and persecution of him, especially through "secret" visits to his residences.April 7, 2009 N.Y. gunman's paranoid letter blames cops https://www.police1.com/active-shooter/articles/ny-gunmans-paranoid-letter-blames-cops-h3hFDbdlJz9FCMX4/ Police1 en-US According to the housekeeper of Wong's apartment complex in California, between 2006 and 2007, a group of suited men visited the apartment building a few times to ask about Wong, and while they were described as resembling government agents, the FBI stated that it had no knowledged of prior investigations involving Wong. The letter also complained about the New York State Department of Labor, claiming that they had failed to provide him with unemployment benefits for a month. At the end of the letter, Wong stated that he "must [get] at least two people with me go to return to the dust of earth", blaming police for his actions, writing "Cop bring about this shooting. Cop must responsible". Aftermath The shooting was the deadliest mass shooting in Binghamton's history,April 4, 2009 New York State shooting leaves 14 dead https://www.france24.com/en/20090404-new-york-state-shooting-leaves-14-dead- France 24 en although not the deadliest mass casualty incident overall in the city, which was the 1913 Binghamton Factory fire with 31 deaths.July 23, 2021 Binghamton Clothing Fire Tragedy Remembered https://wnbf.com/victims-of-binghamton-clothing-company-fire-remembered-108-years-later/ WNBF News Radio 1290 AM & 92.1 FM en The Binghamton shooting was the eighth high-profile mass shooting in the United States since March 10, 2009, all having occurred within less than a month, leading to a renewed debate about gun control measures that members of the Democratic Party had previously proposed. Former Rochester County prosecutor Jeffrey Chamberlain commented that Wong "fell through the cracks" while Binghamton Police Chief Zikuski stated that there was "no merit" to reviewing Wong's gun permits after the alleged robbery tip-off in 1999. There was criticism against the Binghamton police department for waiting 45 minutes while on-site before entering the premises. The New York Daily News wrote in the department's defense that autopsies determined all fatalities had sustained injuries which resulted in death before the emergency response. Although early reports suggested Wong had recently lost his job at a local IBM plant in nearby Endicott, New York, IBM said they had no records showing Wong had ever worked for the company. However, a former IBM worker claimed Wong, whom she knew as "Vaughn", had been employed as an engineer by the company several years earlier, stating "He was quiet—not a violent person" and "I can't believe he would do something like this."http://edition.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/04/03/binghamton.shooting/index.html 'No yelling, just silence, shooting.' a witness says CNN April 4, 2009 April 6, 2009 September 10, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190910120433/http://edition.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/04/03/binghamton.shooting/index.html live A different employee clarified that there was a contract worker with a similar name at the IBM plant, but that this person was still employed and working there during the shooting. Press TV noted that Pakistani Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud claimed responsibility for the shooting, saying, "They were my men. I gave them orders in reaction to US drone attacks." However, a spokesman for the Federal Bureau of Investigation discounted the claim as inconsistent with their evidence that Wong was the lone gunman.April 4, 2009 Pakistani Taliban leader claims responsibility for Binghamton shooting; authorities quickly refute New York Daily News http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/pakistani-taliban-leader-claims-responsibility-binghamton-shooting-authorities-quickly-refute-article-1.359322 March 5, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20131031072242/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/pakistani-taliban-leader-claims-responsibility-binghamton-shooting-authorities-quickly-refute-article-1.359322 October 31, 2013 President Barack Obama referred to the shooting as "senseless violence" and offered sympathy to the victims.http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2009/04/obama_calls_binghamton_shootin.html Obama calls Binghamton shooting act of 'senseless violence' Associated Press Syracuse.com April 3, 2009 April 18, 2009 April 7, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090407100114/http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2009/04/obama_calls_binghamton_shootin.html live New York Governor David Paterson ordered state flags to be flown at half staff on April 8, 2009.http://www.wbng.com/news/shooting/42531362.html Governor Paterson Directs flags to be flown at half staff for Binghamton Tragedy Victims WBNG News April 6, 2009 April 18, 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090408192412/http://www.wbng.com/news/shooting/42531362.html April 8, 2009 Wong's parents, Henry Voong and Mui Thong of Johnson City, New York, issued a statement apologizing for their son's actions, expressing their shared grief and asking for forgiveness from the victims' families.http://www.syracuse.com/today/index.ssf/2009/04/parents_of_jiverly_wong_apolog.html Parents of Jiverly Wong apologize for shooting at immigration center in Binghamton, NY April 14, 2009 syracuse.com April 18, 2009 April 17, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090417055034/http://www.syracuse.com/today/index.ssf/2009/04/parents_of_jiverly_wong_apolog.html live Following the publication of Wong's personal details, reporters attempted to find Wong's ex-wife, Xiu Ping Jiang, for comment. A Chinese woman with the same name, who had married a Vietnamese man in Des Moines, Iowa, was identified in an immigration jail in Glades County, Florida, but a background check determined her to be a different person.May 4, 2009 Mentally Ill and in Immigration Limbo Atlantic Philanthropies https://www.atlanticphilanthropies.org/news/mentally-ill-and-immigration-limbo The Atlantic Philanthropies en However, information about this Xiu Ping Jiang's immigration process generated sympathy about unfair treatment following coverage by The New York Times in September 2009. The journalist behind the article, Nina Bernstein, criticized that her case was ignored by the press after the supposed connection to the Binghamton shooting was found to be wrong, writing "Had she been the Xiu Ping Jiang linked to a mass killer, her story would have made instant news around the world. Instead, she is a kind of Internet-era doppelganger, lost in one of the dark places of immigration law, where the only life at stake may be her own". She was subsequently granted a second process under consideration of her mental health issues, receiving asylum in 2010.Bernstein Nina May 17, 2010 Judge Grants Asylum to Chinese Immigrant https://archive.nytimes.com/cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/17/judge-grants-asylum-to-chinese-immigrant/ New York Times en The events of Xiu Ping Jiang's immigration case became the basis of Lisa Ko's 2017 novel The Leavers.April 23, 2018 An Interview Lisa Ko https://thebrooklynreview.com/2018/04/23/an-interview-with-lisa-ko-author-of-the-leavers/ The Brooklyn Review en In 2010, ahead of the one-year anniversary, a memorial was officially announced to commemorate the victims.Baker Robert A. April 2, 2010 Binghamton builds memorial to help healing, a year after gunman killed 13 people at immigrant center https://www.syracuse.com/news/2010/04/binghamton_builds_memorial_to.html Syracuse en In spring 2013, the ACA Memorial Park was constructed,Joseph Bob April 1, 2013 Binghamton ACA Memorial Artist Pleased With Display https://wnbf.com/binghamton-aca-memorial-artist-pleased/ WNBF News Radio 1290 AM & 92.1 FM en funded by $200,000 paid by public donations and the victims' families.Gilroy Maggie Sullivan Borelli Katie April 3, 2019 'We are not forgotten': Community honors Binghamton ACA shooting victims on 10th anniversary https://www.aberdeennews.com/story/news/2019/04/03/we-are-not-forgotten-community-honors-binghamton-aca-shooting-victims-on-10th-anniversary/44252927/ Aberdeen News en-US The center of the park features thirteen memorial plaques and an equal number of dove statues.Scullin Grace April 6, 2025 Sixteen years after tragedy, American Civic Association holds memorial service honoring victims of mass shooting https://www.bupipedream.com/news/sixteen-years-after-tragedy-american-civic-association-holds-memorial-service-honoring-victims-of-mass-shooting/165255/ Pipe Dream In 2019, Binghamton University planned to build a mosaic at the entrance of the ACA center as part of a PwC honors program, which was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but construction took place in April 2021.April 9, 2021 BU Scholars Begin Installation Memorial Mosaic for ACA https://wnbf.com/scholars-mosaic-aca/ WNBF News Radio 1290 AM & 92.1 FM en Yearly memorial services for the shooting's victims are held in the park.March 27, 2019 Remembering the victims of the ACA shooting in Binghamton https://www.pressconnects.com/story/news/local/2019/03/27/aca-american-civic-association-binghamton-shooting-victims-obituaries/3224600002/ Press & Sun-Bulletin en-US See also Gun violence in the United States Mass shootings in the United States References External links Gunman massacres at least 12 at New York immigration center Binghamton siege pictures – BBC "Binghamton Victims Shared a Dream of Living Better Lives", The New York Times, April 6, 2009, obituary for the victims Image of Wong's two page handwritten letter sent to local news station (PDF) Category:2000s crimes in New York (state) Category:2000s mass murders in the United States Category:2009 in New York (state) Category:2009 mass shootings in the United States Category:2009 mass murders Category:2009 murders in the United States Category:April 2009 crimes in the United States Category:April 2009 in the United States Category:Attacks in the United States in 2009 Category:Attacks on buildings and structures in 2009 Category:Attacks on buildings and structures in New York (state) Category:Binghamton, New York Category:Brazilian people murdered abroad Category:Chinese people murdered abroad Category:Deaths by firearm in New York (state) Category:Filipinos murdered abroad Category:Haitian people murdered abroad Category:Iraqi people murdered abroad Category:Mass murders in New York (state) Category:Mass shootings in New York (state) Category:Mass shootings involving semi-automatic pistols in the United States Category:Murder–suicides in New York (state) Category:Pakistani people murdered abroad Category:Presidency of Barack Obama Category:Vietnamese people murdered abroad