A 35-year-old man was charged today with the special circumstance murders of two men at a social club in Chinatown, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced.

Vinh Dao (dob 2/5/80) faces two counts of murder with the special circumstance allegation of multiple murders and an allegation of using a knife as a deadly weapon.

Case BA454112 includes the allegation that Dao also was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in 2002.

Arraignment is scheduled this afternoon in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center

On Jan. 26, Dao allegedly entered the Hop Sing Tong Benevolent Association and began arguing with Tony Young, 64, before stabbing him to death, prosecutors said. The defendant is charged with then fatally stabbing Kim Kong Yon, 64, when he allegedly attempted to help the first victim, prosecutors added.

If convicted as charged, Dao faces the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole. A decision on whether to seek the death penalty will be made at a later date. The defendant is being held with no bail.

The case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department.

Los Angeles County District Attorney / Case BA454112 / January 31, 2017