In a violent episode fueled by racial tensions, a mob descended upon the Chinese quarter of Los Angeles, resulting in the lynching of an estimated 17 to 22 Chinese immigrants. The incident was prompted by an earlier shooting where a Chinese man named Yung Hoy was involved. Locals, inflamed by rumors and longstanding racial animosity, escalated the situation, leading to a chaotic and unrestrained attack on the Chinese community. The mob, composed primarily of white residents, sought retribution and took the law into their own hands, ignoring the legal process and human rights of those targeted. The violence lasted several hours, effectively demonstrating the precarious social position of Chinese immigrants in the West during this time.

The aftermath left the Chinese community devastated and led to calls for reform, yet the violence did not immediately subside. Fear and intimidation became pervasive within immigrant communities as the larger society failed to provide protection or justice. The event shed light on the systemic racial prejudices in the United States and highlighted the struggle for Chinese immigrants to attain basic human rights and protections under the law. The lynching also contributed to a legacy of violence against immigrants that would persist throughout American history, influencing future immigration policies and public sentiment towards Asian communities.