A Chicago man has been sentenced in connection with the 2020 double murder that rocked the city’s Chinatown neighborhood and left the community seeking justice for more than five years. On Wednesday, the defendant, identified as 25‑year‑old Alvin Thomas, learned his fate after a Cook County jury found him guilty of first‑degree murder for the fatal shooting of two men during an attempted robbery in February 2020.
The tragic incident unfolded in the early morning hours of February 9, 2020, when Thomas approached a group of three people standing in a parking lot on the 2000 block of South Wells Street. Authorities reported that Thomas attempted to rob the group at gunpoint; a 44‑year‑old woman complied with his demands, but when 36‑year‑old Huayi Bian and 38‑year‑old Weizhing Xiong resisted, Thomas opened fire, fatally striking both men.
Police were able to track Thomas to a nearby block within approximately 15 minutes of the shooting, based on surveillance footage and shell casings recovered at the scene. He was taken into custody shortly thereafter and subsequently charged with multiple counts, including two counts of first‑degree murder.
In handing down the sentence, the court underscored the severity of the crime and the lasting impact on the victims’ families and the Chinatown community. During trial proceedings and the sentencing hearing, loved ones of Bian and Xiong spoke of the deep void left by their deaths and the enduring pain caused by the senseless violence.
The case has drawn widespread attention in Chicago, symbolizing ongoing concerns about violent crime in urban neighborhoods and the pursuit of accountability through the justice system. Authorities hope that the sentencing will bring some measure of closure to those affected while reinforcing the importance of community safety and cooperation with law enforcement.