(Screengrab via KRON4)
Stand by your Shrimp Boy. The girlfriend of notorious San Francisco underworld figure Raymond “Shrimp Boy” Chow is speaking out after he was sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of a rival’s murder in 2006. Alicia Lo spoke to the media after Chow’s sentencing on August 4 saying that she believes he’s innocent. Lo added that she would never put her daughter in harm’s way if she thought Chow was a violent individual. She said that police arrested Chow in front of her child at their home in March 2014.
Here’s what you need to know about the love Shrimp Boy’s life:
1. The Couple Has Been Together Since 2008
Alicia Lo says she’s been w/ Raymond since ’08. “Raymond hasn’t done any of the crimes they say. He made decision to turn his life around.”
In a 2015 New York Times feature on Chow, Lo explains that the couple has been together since 2008. When they got together, Chow was driving in “an old bulletproof Mercedes.” The couple met in a nightclub.
At the time of his 2014 arrest, the couple was living in her condo in the Potrero Hill neighborhood, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. That article mentions that Lo was helping Chow write his autobiography.
In 2012, the couple was pictured out a celebrity attended event at the W Hotel.
2. Lo Has Dedicated Her Twitter Account to Pleading Chow’s Innocence
(Twitter)
Lo has dedicated her Twitter account to Chow’s innocence. On January 8, after he was found guilty, Lo wrote, “As his girlfriend of more than 7 years I will tell you without a shadow of a doubt the jurors did not see the truth.” Later that day, Lo said, “Just spoke to him and he is so strong, positive, even laughing. He is truly amazing.”
In her Twitter bio, Lo writes, “Lucky girl! Amazing friends. Beautiful, sweet, smart daughter. Animal lover.” Her Facebook page shows professional modeling photos.
On the day of Chow’s sentencing, Lo began fundraising for Chow’s cause. She set up a Go Get Funding page in his honor. The description of the fundraiser indicates that the money is going towards his prison commissary so he can buy books and toiletries. Lo also says that those who donate more than $50.00 will receive a “Free Shrimp Boy” t-shirt. At the time of writing, the page has raised $500.00.
3. She Is a UC Berkeley Graduate & She Owns a Kitchen Cabinet Business
(Facebook)
The New York Times reports that she’s a native of the San Francisco suburb of Walnut Creek. Her father is George Lo, the senior vice president of renowned U.S. engineering firm, Beyaz & Patel.
Lo is a graduate of UC Berkeley, according to her LinkedIn page, as is her father. She has degrees in finance, marketing and business. Since May 2015, she has operated her own kitchen and bathroom cabinet manufacturers, Woodford Studio. Among her causes, Lo says she cares about animal welfare, children, education and human rights, to name but a few.
4. Lo Told Chow When the Couple Got Together That She Was ‘Not Such a Good Chinese Person’
Chow and Lo pictured together. (Facebook)
When Chow and Lo got together, she told him that she was “not such a good Chinese person,” according to the New York Times. While Lo also says that Chow had to acclimatize back into regular society. Lo said she treated Chow “like a baby.” She taught him to help her daughter cross the street and how to recycle. While he took her to prominent Chinese shrines and taught her how to worship.
After he was sentenced, Lo told the media about Chow, “Raymond changed his life and he said he would not change, meaning he’s not changing back and that’s another example of how something is taken out of context.”
5. During His Case, Prosecutors Called Chow ‘Manipulative’ & ‘Power-Hungry’
Upon being sentenced to life in prison, Chow said in court, “You got the wrong man. I’m not apologizing (for) a crime I had nothing to do with.,” reports the San Francisco Chronicle.
Chow had been convicted of ordering the murder of the former leader of Ghee Kung Tong, Allen Leung, in 2006. He was also found guilty of plotting the failed assassination attempt of another gangland figure, Jim Tat Kong.
After sentencing was issued, prosecutors referred to Chow as “manipulative” and “power hungry,” reports ABC San Francisco.