Ten people were killed and at least 10 others were injured Saturday night, Jan. 21, in a mass shooting in a Monterey Park ballroom as residents celebrated the Lunar New Year, and the shooter was at large, officials said.
It happened after a city Lunar New Year celebration of the “Year of the Rabbit” downtown. The shooting was reported at the ballroom at 122 W. Garvey Ave., near the intersection of Garvey and Garfield avenues.
A broadcast report said thousands of people had been attending the city event.
Later, police and emergency medical personnel were on scene as Monterey Park police investigated the ballroom business shooting. Witnesses remained gathered at the scene late Saturday and roads in the area were closed.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department homicide detectives were sent to the scene to assist. Nine people were killed, LASD reported around 2:50 a.m. Nearly an hour later, LASD Capt. Andrew Meyer said during a news conference that 10 people had died and at least 10 more were injured. Their conditions ranged from stable to critical, he said.
The shooting occurred at the ballroom about 10:20 p.m. and “appears to be” an isolated incident, Deputy Tracy Koerner said.
It occurred about an hour after the city Lunar New Year festival in the area had ended.
No suspect information was immediately available except that the shooter, who was at large, is a man. Meyer said investigators had no information on a motive for the shooting. “It’s too early in the investigation to know if this was a hate crime,” Meyer said.
He said officers responding to a shots-fired call at a business found people pouring out of the location “screaming.” Officers went inside and found additional victims.
BREAKING: LASD says ten people have now died in Monterey Park and at least ten others were transported in ranging conditions. No suspect is in custody. There is no description of the suspect, and no known motive. The Lunar New Year event happening here later today is cancelled. pic.twitter.com/T2deqhpzcQ
— Emily Holshouser (@emilyytayylor) January 22, 2023
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Nearby agencies were assisting the Monterey Park police and fire departments. According to video from the scene and broadcast reports, El Monte and Alhambra police and South Pasadena fire personnel were on scene. FBI agents were seen there as well.
A second possibly related situation was being investigated in Alhambra, Meyer said.
A city of about 61,000 people according to Census statistics, Monterey Park is located east of Los Angeles and is sandwiched between the 10 and 60 freeways. About 65 percent of its residents are Asian and many would be celebrating Lunar New Year, which is the most important annual holiday in China.
Anyone with information about the shooting was encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Information can be provided anonymously to “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477).
Our prayers are with our friends and colleagues in the great city of Monterey Park. We stand ready to lend our support during this difficult time as we wait for more confirmed details of an alleged mass shooting incident. #montereypark https://t.co/cBo0TYfBEF
— Mayor Andrew Chou (@AndrewChouDB) January 22, 2023
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Our hearts go out to those who lost loved ones tonight in our neighboring city, Monterey Park, where a mass shooting just occurred. Monterey Park is home to one of the largest Asian communities in Los Angeles County and many were out celebrating the Lunar New Year.
— Kenneth Mejia, CPA (@kennethmejiaLA) January 22, 2023
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I am in a state of shock, heartbreak and devastation. A mass shooting has occurred in our neighboring City of Monterey Park. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their loved ones. Our community stands ready to do whatever we can to support all those impacted.
— Mayor Sasha Renée Pérez (@SashaReneePerez) January 22, 2023
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The second night of the city’s planned Lunar New Year celebration downtown, set for Sunday evening, was canceled after Saturday’s shooting.
Saturday’s shooting followed a handful of other high-profile mass or spree shootings in recent years in Southern California including:
–On May 15, 2022, at a Taiwanese church in Laguna Woods where David Wenwei Chou is accused of fatally shooting a doctor and injuring five other people.
–On March 31, 2021, at a real estate office in Orange that left four people dead and a woman injured. Suspect Aminadab Gaxiola Gonzalez ultimately was found not competent to stand trial.
–On Nov. 14, 2019, at Saugus High School that left two students dead.
–On Nov. 7, 2018, in Thousand Oaks where a gunman killed 12 people in the Borderline bar before killing himself. A Ventura County Sheriff’s deputy died during the law enforcement response to the shooting.
–A Dec. 2, 2015, terrorist attack that killed 14 people in San Bernardino.
This is a developing story. Check back for more information
Source: Orange County Register
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