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3 Mongolian Boys Society Members Indicted on Murder Conspiracy Charges
Bill McEwen updated website photo 2024
By Bill McEwen, News Director
Published 5 years ago on
July 23, 2020

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A federal grand jury in Fresno returned an indictment Thursday against three members of the Mongolian Boys Society, charging them with conspiring to commit murder for a gang shooting that killed four Hmong men, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott said.

“Federal and local law enforcement are committed to stopping violent criminal organizations like this one,” said Scott in a news release. “We will continue to work with our state and federal partners to keep our communities safe from gang violence.”

The indictments stem from the deadly shootings on Nov. 17, 2019, during a football-watching party at Fresno home near the airport.

Killed in the barrage of bullets: 23-year-old Xy Lee, 31-year-old Phia Vang, 38-year-old Kou Xiong, and 40-year-old Kalaxang Thao.

Photo of Neej Xiong, uncle of shooting victim Kou Xiong, praying in front of a memorial during a candle light vigil in Fresno
In this photo taken Monday, Nov. 18, 2019, Neej Xiong, uncle of shooting victim Kou Xiong, prays in front of a memorial during a candlelight vigil in Fresno. The close-knit Hmong community was in shock after gunmen burst into the backyard gathering and shot 10 men, killing four. “We are right now just trying to figure out what to do, what are the next steps. How do we heal, how do we know what’s going on,” said community leader Bobby Bliatout. (Larry Valenzuela/The Fresno Bee via AP)

Three Men Served as Lookouts for the Shooters: Indictment

According to court documents, Fresno residents Pao Vang, 30; Jhovanny Delgado, 19; and Johnny Xiong, 25, were members of the MBS, a criminal organization active in Fresno and Visalia.

Thursday’s indictment found that MBS members and associates held a Nov. 17 meeting and conspired to commit a retaliatory murder.

Vang, Delgado, and Xiong, who attended the meeting, were designated as lookouts. They positioned themselves on street corners near the target residence to report the presence of law enforcement to the shooters or other gang members. Subsequently, the MBS shooters killed four and injured at least six others.

Vang, Delgado, and Xiong were charged by criminal complaint on Jan. 2 and have been detained in federal custody since that date.

If convicted, they face a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

Fresno County DA Charged the Four Alleged Murderers

On Jan. 2, the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office charged Ger Lee, 27; Anthony Montes, 27; Porge Kue, 26; and Billy Xiong, 25, with special circumstances murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and multiple counts of attempted murder.

“In conjunction with the ongoing criminal case in the Fresno County Superior Court, today’s news that a federal grand jury returned an indictment is a testament to the hard work of the Fresno Police Department and that of our federal partners.” — Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp

“In conjunction with the ongoing criminal case in the Fresno County Superior Court, today’s news that a federal grand jury returned an indictment is a testament to the hard work of the Fresno Police Department and that of our federal partners,” said Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp. “Collaboratively, we will do all we can to hold to account the perpetrators of this horrific offense and to seek justice for the victims and survivors.”

The Victims

Victims from Nov. 17, 2019, shooting, left to right: Phia Vang, Kalaxang Thao, Kou Xiong, Xy Lee. (GV Wire File)

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Bill McEwen,
News Director
Bill McEwen is news director and columnist for GV Wire. He joined GV Wire in August 2017 after 37 years at The Fresno Bee. With The Bee, he served as Opinion Editor, City Hall reporter, Metro columnist, sports columnist and sports editor through the years. His work has been frequently honored by the California Newspapers Publishers Association, including authoring first-place editorials in 2015 and 2016. Bill and his wife, Karen, are proud parents of two adult sons, and they have two grandsons. You can contact Bill at 559-492-4031 or at Send an Email

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