30 years ago, three men shot six others in Chinatown. Today, 1 is still on the run.
Three decades after the murders, the FBI is hoping a $30,000 reward will finally lead to Hung Tien Pham's arrest.
Hung Tien Pham in 1989
Exactly 30 years ago, Hung Tien Pham walked into an illegal gambling den located on Tyler Street in Boston.
Called a “rising star” among Asian organized crime, according to U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling, Pham, along with two others, allegedly shot six men “execution style” in the head as they were playing cards, the FBI said. Five of the men died, but the one who survived identified the three alleged shooters – Pham, Nam The Tham, and Siny Van Tran.
Since Jan. 12, 1991, Tham and Tran were found and arrested in China. They were brought back to the United States in 2001, and in 2005, they were convicted of murder in Suffolk County Superior Court. They’re currently serving five consecutive life sentences for their crimes, the FBI said.
But Pham is still on the run, according to authorities. They have not found a motive for the killings.
“It is with heavy hearts that we mark today’s anniversary of one of the bloodiest massacres in Boston’s history,” Joe Bonavolonta said during a press conference Tuesday afternoon. “Thirty years ago today in the close-knit community of Chinatown, five men lost their lives and another man’s life was changed forever.”
Along with the shooting, Pham is wanted for another murder four days prior on Jan. 8, 1991, the FBI said.
Thirty years after the “brutal” shootings, the FBI, along with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and Boston police, are hoping a $30,000 reward will lead to Pham’s arrest.
After the six men were shot, Pham allegedly left his two kids and their mother and went to Atlantic City, New Jersey to gamble. He then went to New York City and flew to Hong Kong on Feb. 1 of that year, according to the FBI.
He was indicted on Jan. 18, 1991 with five counts of murder, and one count each of armed assault with intent to murder, conspiracy, and carrying a firearm without a license, authorities said. A federal arrest warrant was issued on Feb. 15 on an unlawful flight to avoid prosecution for murder.
Pham’s last known location was in Bangkok, Thailand in the mid-to-late 1990s, according to the FBI. Bonavolonta said the FBI doesn’t know if Pham is alive or dead – today he would be 60 years old – but if he is dead, confirmation would help to close the case, and the reward could go to someone who could help prove this. He also didn’t speculate on where Pham may be today. An age-progressed photo was shared by authorities of what Pham may look like now.
At the time of the murders, Pham was an associate of the Ping On crime syndicate, which operated not just in Boston, but also Philadelphia, Chicago, and Toronto. He also had familial ties to San Francisco, South Korea and North Vietnam, the FBI said.
An age-progressed photo of Hung Tien Pham at age 60.
“The massacre likely spurred an escalating gang war in Chinatown,” Lelling said.
In January 1991, Pham was described as standing between 5-foot-2-inches and 5-foot-4-inches and weighing between 115 and 135 pounds. He had black hair and brown eyes, according to his FBI wanted poster.
Pham lived on Clayton Street in Dorchester. He was born in Mong Cai, Quang Ningh Province, North Vietnam and is a Vietnamese national of Chinese descent. He speaks English, Chinese and Vietnamese, according to the FBI.
Known as a “big spender who liked flashy cars and cognac,” Pham worked a variety of jobs – waiter, cook, floor sander, and bicycle repairman – and had a variety of aliases, 10 of which were listed by the FBI.
“There is no such thing as a cold case,” Boston Police Commissioner William Gross said during the press conference.
Anyone who may know something about the case is asked to call 1(800)-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), or can submit a tip online to tips.fbi.gov.
