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Today in History: Golden Dragon Massacre Kills Five, Spurs Police Crackdown

9/4/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On September 4 1977, members of the Joe Boys stormed San Francisco’s Golden Dragon restaurant, aiming to kill rival Wah Ching leaders but killing five civilians and wounding eleven bystanders. Seven gunmen were later convicted. The tragedy prompted the SFPD to form an Asian Gang Task Force, which curbed Chinatown’s gang violence by 1983.

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Story summary

On September 4 1977, members of the Joe Boys stormed San Francisco’s Golden Dragon restaurant, aiming to kill rival Wah Ching leaders but killing five civilians and wounding eleven bystanders. Seven gunmen were later convicted. The tragedy prompted the SFPD to form an Asian Gang Task Force, which curbed Chinatown’s gang violence by 1983.