With these changes came a weakening of the Tongs ' traditional grip on Chinese life . Newer Chinese groups often came from areas outside of the Tongs ' control , so the influence of the Tongs and criminal groups associated with them , such as the Triads , grew weaker in Chinatown and the Chinese community . However , the presence of the Asian gangs remained significant in the immigrant community , and in the summer of 1977 , an ongoing rivalry between two street gangs , the Wah Ching and the Joe Boys , erupted in violence and bloodshed , culminating in a shooting spree at the Golden Dragon Restaurant on Washington Street ( 華盛頓街 ) . Five people were killed and eleven wounded , none of whom were gang members . The incident has become infamously known as the Golden Dragon massacre . Five perpetrators , who were members of the Joe Boys gang , were convicted of murder and assault charges and were sentenced to prison . The Golden Dragon closed in January 2006 because of health violations , and later reopened as the Imperial Palace Restaurant
Golden Dragon massacre
Golden Dragon massacre
Chinatown, San Francisco