Eleven people were killed and nine others were injured by a gunman who opened fire at a crowded dance studio in Monterey Park, California, on Saturday night, authorities said.
The suspect -- identified as 72-year-old Huu Can Tran -- fled the scene and traveled to nearby Alhambra, where he allegedly entered a second dance hall, where he was disarmed. Tran was found dead on Sunday from a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside a van in Torrance, about 30 miles southwest of Monterey Park, according to police.
A gunman opened fire at a dance studio during a Lunar New Year celebration in Monterey Park, Calif., before fleeing the scene on the night of Jan. 21, 2023.
AP
Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Jan 23, 2023, 12:44 PM EST
Devastated family of 65-year-old victim speaks out
Mymy Nhan, a 65-year-old woman killed in the Monterey Park dance studio mass shooting, "spent so many years" going there to dance on weekends, her family said.
"It’s what she loved to do," the family said.
An undated photo of Monterey Park shooting victim My My Nhan.
Nhan and Quan family
"We are starting the Lunar New Year broken. We never imagined her life would end so suddenly," her family said. "Her warm smile and kindness was contagious. She was a loving aunt, sister, daughter and friend. Mymy was our biggest cheerleader."
Jan 23, 2023, 11:46 AM EST
Rep. Chu's message to community: Go to Lunar New Year celebrations
Rep. Judy Chu, a Democratic congresswoman who represents Monterey Park, told “GMA3” that she wants to know the gunman’s motive for Saturday night’s massacre that claimed 10 lives.
“For him to do this right after we had our opening celebration of Lunar New Year was just horrific. There were thousands of people that were only one block away celebrating this very, very important holiday,” she said. “It was a joyous time that immediately turned to tragedy."
Members of the community hold a prayer vigil at Monterey Park City Hall for victims of a deadly shooting on Jan. 22, 2023, in Monterey Park, Calif.
Eric Thayer/Getty Images
Chu said the community is “beginning the healing process.”
“It’s been a horrific 24 hours. People were so fearful and anxious about an active shooter being out there in the community,” she said.
The suspect was found dead on Sunday from a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside a van in Torrance, about 30 miles southwest of Monterey Park, according to police.
“My message to the community is: you are safe,” Chu said. “And it's so important for people to heal and to go to the Lunar New Year celebrations that they have been looking forward to all year long.”
Flowers are placed at the entrance to Star Dance Studio in Monterey Park, Calif., Jan. 23, 2023.
Jae C. Hong/AP
Chu added, “The feelings of Asian Americans are very raw right now because we've just come from three years of anti-Asian hate due to COVID.”
“In fact, the reason that everybody was so enthusiastic about this Lunar New Year is that it was on hiatus for three years due to COVID. This was the first time it was being done in three years where everybody was together and in person,” she said. “So it should have been a wonderful time for our community.”
-ABC News’ John Streaman
Jan 23, 2023, 10:53 AM EST
10 slain victims all in their 50s, 60s or 70s
The Los Angeles County Coroner's Office has released the names of two women killed in the mass shooting: 65-year-old My Nhan and 63-year-old Lilan Li.
The names of the other eight people killed have not yet been released. The coroner's office has only identified them as a woman in her 50s; two women in their 60s; two men in their 60s; and three men in their 70s.
People come together in a prayer as members of the community hold a prayer vigil in Monterey Park, Calif., Jan. 22, 2023.
Allison Dinner/Reuters
Jan 23, 2023, 9:51 AM EST
Governor visits Monterey Park
California Gov. Gavin Newsom tweeted photos of his Sunday visit to Monterey Park.
He said he met with "leaders and those impacted by this terrible tragedy" and called their strength "incredible."
"No other country in the world is terrorized by this constant stream of gun violence," the Democratic governor tweeted. "We need real gun reform at a national level."
