Ex-candidate dies in Gilbert eatery crash-suicide
May 19—A 2018 Chandler City Council candidate who crashed his sedan into a popular Chinese restaurant in Gilbert last week and was found dead inside with a self-inflicted gunshot wound apparently was troubled in the months before his death.
What caused 64-year-old Dai Alex Chuang to take his own life remains a mystery — including to the restaurant owner and former campaign supporter Sam Szeto, who opened Dragon Wok near Cooper and Ray roads 19 years ago.
"I know him, but (have) not seen him for two years," Szeto said. "I'm very shocked. They told me first (it) was accident — someone lost control. Then they did it on purpose and shot himself."
The crash occurred around 9:45 a.m. May 14, according to Gilbert Police. No one was inside the restaurant at the time. Chuang shot himself after crashing, according to Szeto's son, Michael.
The vehicle crashed through a glass wall next to the front door and went into the kitchen area, Szeto said.
Szeto said he contacted his insurance company, which as of Thursday morning, still has not come out to inspect the damage.
Szeto said he had no idea when he might reopen and that he was experiencing headaches and stress from dealing with the accident's aftermath.
Michael Szeto has set up a GoFundMe to help pay the restaurant's employees and with some of the repair costs. The goal is to raise $35,000. Last week 97 donations came in totaling $8,215. His campaign is at gofundme.com/f/support-dragon-wok-in-time-of-need.
Although Szeto and Chuang were not friends, the two Chandler men seemed to move in the same political circles.
According to a 2012 East Valley Tribune story, Dragon Wok was a hot spot for local public figures, including the mayor, council members, NBA players, lawyers and judges.
"I know lot of people," Szeto said last week. "I'm a public figure, too. Everybody knows me (and) I call everybody friend."
When Chuang pulled papers to run for Chandler Council in 2018, Szeto contributed $2,000 toward his election bid, according to a campaign finance report. Chuang listed two other donors but Szeto's contribution made up over half his election funding.
Chuang on his LinkedIn account stated he was a principal with CHLdv and co-founder of Planet Startup.
He also stated that he was vice president and president of the Whisper Heights Homeowners Association Board from 2008-11 and helped navigate a distressed HOA after the Brown Family Builder declared bankruptcy, leaving about 40% of the remaining lots vacant.
According to court documents, Chuang filed for divorce in 2022.
Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke said he met Chuang some six to seven years ago when he attempted a run for council. Hartke said Chuange never turned in his nomination paper and didn't get on the ballot.
"He was baptized and joined Trinity Christian Fellowship around two years ago and often drove elderly women to church from south Chandler from a senior living facility where his mother lived," Hartke said. "When I met Alex, I was the lead pastor at Trinity. Now I serve as a part-time associate pastor. "
He said that Chuang took a poetry class at the church in December 2023 and made it a goal to write one poem a day.
"He was extremely intelligent and spoke several languages," he said. "When I first knew him he was vibrant, passionate and compassionate.
"While he did not lose his compassion, I would call him more distant and troubled the last many months."
Hartke said that Chuang joined a small group of men weekly Bible studies about two to three months ago.
"He rarely spoke but enjoyed the camaraderie," Hartke recalled. "I was stunned and shocked when I heard about Alex's demise. I had prayed with Alex frequently."
GSN Staff Writer Ken Sain contributed to this report.
