Born to Kill (gang)
Encyclopedia
Born to Kill was the name of a notorious New York City
-based street gang composed of first-generation Vietnamese immigrants. Their rise to power was in the 1980s when they ran New York City's Chinatown with an iron fist and quickly rose to become the most notorious Asian gang the country has ever witnessed. The early 1990s proved to be detrimental to the Vietnamese collective following the arrest
and prosecution of most of their New York-based operatives by the fall of 1992.
. He formed Born to Kill in 1988, while his gang adopted its name from the phrase American
soldiers had on their helmets during the Vietnam War
and the gang's prowess is often attributed to the chaotic environment of guns and drugs in Vietnam. They are considered to be the most notorious and violent Asian gang known to date and were known to challenge the authority of established Chinatown
gangs. While identified by some as predominantly Vietnamese
, Born to Kill consisted of New York native Vietnamese as well as immigrants new to the tri-state area. David Thai and his operations birthed the Canal Street counterfeit market and made it a worldwide tourist visit location for bootlegged items.
owners and storekeepers along Canal Street
. Some members were recruited from areas near the Bronx High School of Science
.
In July 1990 there were believed to be as many as 80 active members in New York City
and by October 1992, when their activities in Chinatown had diminished significantly, there were factions of the gang operating in Georgia
and Canada
. Peak numbers in New York may have ranged as high as 100, with chapters of the gang operating in New Jersey
, California
and Texas
. Gang members were tattooed with the initials B.T.K, a coffin and three candles, signifying no fear of dying.
and larger cities such as Dallas, Texas
. Once active in other cities and states, the gangs did not always maintain the same activities as they did in New York. In San Jose, California
, Born to Kill was active in less-visible areas such as computer-chip theft, as well as the sale of guns to young Vietnamese.
One of the areas where the gang was most active was Atlanta
and Doraville, Georgia
where it continued to operate as late as December 1996.
, Long Island
. It was believed to be his first arrest. This led to the arrest and conviction of seven members on federal racketeering charges in April 1992. Most were sentenced to 40 years and Thai was sentenced to 10 extra years. Other members may reside in New Orleans, Louisiana.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
-based street gang composed of first-generation Vietnamese immigrants. Their rise to power was in the 1980s when they ran New York City's Chinatown with an iron fist and quickly rose to become the most notorious Asian gang the country has ever witnessed. The early 1990s proved to be detrimental to the Vietnamese collective following the arrest
Arrest
An arrest is the act of depriving a person of his or her liberty usually in relation to the purported investigation and prevention of crime and presenting into the criminal justice system or harm to oneself or others...
and prosecution of most of their New York-based operatives by the fall of 1992.
Origins
Born to Kill was founded by David Thai, who arrived from Vietnam in 1975 following the Fall of SaigonFall of Saigon
The Fall of Saigon was the capture of Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, by the People's Army of Vietnam and the National Liberation Front on April 30, 1975...
. He formed Born to Kill in 1988, while his gang adopted its name from the phrase American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soldiers had on their helmets during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
and the gang's prowess is often attributed to the chaotic environment of guns and drugs in Vietnam. They are considered to be the most notorious and violent Asian gang known to date and were known to challenge the authority of established Chinatown
Chinatown
A Chinatown is an ethnic enclave of overseas Chinese people, although it is often generalized to include various Southeast Asian people. Chinatowns exist throughout the world, including East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Americas, Australasia, and Europe. Binondo's Chinatown located in Manila,...
gangs. While identified by some as predominantly Vietnamese
Vietnamese people
The Vietnamese people are an ethnic group originating from present-day northern Vietnam and southern China. They are the majority ethnic group of Vietnam, comprising 86% of the population as of the 1999 census, and are officially known as Kinh to distinguish them from other ethnic groups in Vietnam...
, Born to Kill consisted of New York native Vietnamese as well as immigrants new to the tri-state area. David Thai and his operations birthed the Canal Street counterfeit market and made it a worldwide tourist visit location for bootlegged items.
Peak activity
Gang members were predominantly in their teens and 20s, although they ranged from fifteen to thirty-five, and were known to target restaurantRestaurant
A restaurant is an establishment which prepares and serves food and drink to customers in return for money. Meals are generally served and eaten on premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services...
owners and storekeepers along Canal Street
Canal Street
Canal Street may refer to:* Canal Street , England, UK* Canal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA* Canal Street , New York City, New York, USA...
. Some members were recruited from areas near the Bronx High School of Science
Bronx High School of Science
The Bronx High School of Science is a specialized New York City public high school often considered the premier science magnet school in the United States. Founded in 1938, it is now located in the Bedford Park section of the Bronx...
.
In July 1990 there were believed to be as many as 80 active members in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and by October 1992, when their activities in Chinatown had diminished significantly, there were factions of the gang operating in Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Peak numbers in New York may have ranged as high as 100, with chapters of the gang operating in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. Gang members were tattooed with the initials B.T.K, a coffin and three candles, signifying no fear of dying.
Outside of New York
The gang's spread was more prevalent in areas with an established Vietnamese presence, including smaller cities such as Biloxi, MississippiMississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
and larger cities such as Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
. Once active in other cities and states, the gangs did not always maintain the same activities as they did in New York. In San Jose, California
San Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
, Born to Kill was active in less-visible areas such as computer-chip theft, as well as the sale of guns to young Vietnamese.
One of the areas where the gang was most active was Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
and Doraville, Georgia
Doraville, Georgia
Doraville is a city in DeKalb County, Georgia, United States, northeast of Atlanta. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 8,330.-History:Doraville was incorporated by an act of the Georgia General Assembly, approved December 15, 1871...
where it continued to operate as late as December 1996.
Decline
Gang founder Thai was arrested along with other top-tier members of Born to Kill in August 1991 at one of the gang's safe havens in MelvilleMelville, New York
Melville is a hamlet and census-designated place in the town of Huntington in Suffolk County on Long Island, New York, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, 14,533 people resided there.-Location:...
, Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
. It was believed to be his first arrest. This led to the arrest and conviction of seven members on federal racketeering charges in April 1992. Most were sentenced to 40 years and Thai was sentenced to 10 extra years. Other members may reside in New Orleans, Louisiana.