California’s Mass Shooting in Monterey Park: A Painful Tragedy

 

It was a nightmare for the residents of Monterey Park, California, USA, when a mass shooting occurred at approximately 10:22 p.m. on Saturday. Last January 21, 2023, PST (UTC-8) at Star Ballroom Dance Studio during the city's large Asian American community's Lunar New Year weekend celebration, the gunman killed 11 people and injured nine others, the majority of whom were over the age of 60. Immediately afterward, the perpetrator entered Lai Lai Ballroom nearby Alhambra to continue his shooting rampage but was confronted by staff and disarmed before fleeing. In the minutes after the initial attack, Brandon Tsay, a part-time assistant at another dance club in nearby Alhambra, wrestled Tran's gun away from him and is credited with saving many lives by preventing the shootings and a larger death toll. Huu Can Tran, 72, was the alleged gunman. He died as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound while being surrounded by police vehicles and law enforcement officers. Tran was found dead inside a white cargo van in Torrance about 30 miles southwest of Monterey Park.

Photo Courtesy :ABC News/ Jae C. Hong/AP

Sheriff Robert Luna mentioned the weapons discovered during the news conference. A Norinco 7.62x25 handgun registered to the suspect, as well as a 9mm caliber semi automatic MAC-10 assault weapon, was wrestled away from the suspect at a dance studio in nearby Alhambra. And the 308-caliber rifle; numerous electronic devices such as cellphones and computers were believed to be the catalyst for the suspect's involvement in the manufacture of homemade firearm suppressors.

On January 25, 2023, CNN reported the 11 victims were publicly identified by the coroner’s office. Five men and six women, the female victims were named Xiujuan Yu, 57; Hongying Jian, 62; Lilan Li, 63; Mymy Nhan, 65; Muoi Dai Ung, 67; and Diana Man Ling Tom, 70. As for the male victims, Wen-Tau Yu, 64; Valentino Marcos Alvero, 68; Ming Wei Ma, 72; Yu-Lun Kao, 72; and Chia-Ling Yau, 76. The investigation is still ongoing to know the motive and the reason behind this senseless attack.

Fear and sorrow replaced the joy of the Lunar New Year celebration. Many families and friends have been shocked by this incident and the unthinkable acts of violence, but they have remained strong and united in their hope for a better tomorrow.

References:

 https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/24/us/monterey-park-california-mass-shooting-tuesday/index.html

 https://edition.cnn.com/2023/01/23/us/huu-can-tran-monterey-park-shooting-what-we-know/index.html

https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/graphics/2023/01/23/monterey-park-california-mass-shooting-timeline-details/11102307002/

Photo Courtesy: GoErie.com

Authored by: Nicole Anne Manzo