The thirteen people killed at the American Civic Association during Friday's violent rampage were identified by the Binghamton, NY police. Most were immigrants—four from China, two from Haiti, and one each from the Philippines, Iraq, Pakistan, Vietnam and Brazil—while two were Americans, a receptionist and teacher. Reports about the shooter, Jiverly Wong, so far suggest a troubled and frustrated man who had a cocaine addiction, apparently planned a bank robbery to support his habit and a failed marriage in California. Wong, who immigrated from Vietnam in the 1990s, was also unhappy with his recent low-paying job at a Shop-Vac plant; a former colleague told the Post that Wong often said he visited shooting ranges on the weekend, "He liked shooting guns. I was worried he would come into work one day, get angry and shoot us all," (apparently he frequently bought and exchanged guns at a local store). Another ex-colleague said workers made fun of Wong, "Sometimes they picked on him a little bit. They would say, 'It's wrong, it's Wong, it's wrong, it's Wong.'" And Wong had attended English classes at the ACA, but dropped out; police say he was wearing body armor when he stormed into the school.
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2025. Donate today