On December 21, 1996, at approximately 10:00 p.m., two Harris County Sheriff’s Deputies, were shot while working an off duty security job at the Imperial Palace Restaurant in the 9100 block of Bellaire. The Deputies were attempting to intervene in a disturbance at that location when the suspect pulled a weapon and shot Deputy Randy Eng in the head and Deputy Murray Campbell in the arm. Both Deputies were transported to Ben Taub Hospital where Deputy Eng was pronounced dead. Deputy Campbell survived his wound.

Deputy Randy Eng was 38 years old and a nine year veteran of the Sheriff’s Department. He was currently serving in the Detention Bureau at the 1301 Franklin jail facility. Deputy Eng was well known and respected inside the Department and was active in the Houston Asian Community.