The violence swelled with two or three thousand Colorado residents begun throwing bricks and breaking into Chinese owned establishments. The police was not able to stop the mounting riot due to its sheer number and they were tremendously outnumbered until finally, Chinese homes and business were destroyed by the angry mob despite the Mayor’s call for the mob to disperse.
The riot culminated when they broke into Sing Lee’s laundry business where he was dragged down the street and was attempted to be hung on a lamp post. He eventually was beaten to death. Other Chinese nationals would have suffered the same fate but some residents were able to stop them. Police also kept the Chinese locked in their county jails to protect them from angry mob.
When the mob was finally over, Chinese businesses and homes were destroyed and the people who were jailed for the killing of Sing Lee were acquitted for lack of evidence.