The suspect was identified by Los Angeles Sheriff Robert Luna at a news conference as “a male Asian.” But few details about him, the firearm he used or his whereabouts were known.
A detective places evidence markers on Sunday, January 22, 2023 after a mass shooting at Star Dance where ten people were killed Saturday night in Monterey Park where the community was celebrating the Lunar New Year. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A man leaves flowers at the scene of a mass shooting on Sunday, January 22, 2023 in Monterey Park where 10 people were killed at a dance hall near the community’s Lunar New Year festival. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Policemen work near the scene of a mass shooting in Monterey Park, California, on January 22, 2023. – Ten people have died and at least 10 others have been wounded in a mass shooting in a largely Asian city in southern California, police said, with the suspect still at large hours later. (Photo by Robyn BECK / AFP) (Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)
Investigators work at the scene of a mass shooting in Monterey Park, California, on January 22, 2023. – Ten people have died and at least 10 others have been wounded in a mass shooting in a largely Asian city in southern California, police said, with the suspect still at large hours later. (Photo by Robyn BECK / AFP) (Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)
Firefighters prepare to transport a patient after a reported shooting late Saturday during a Lunar New Year event in Monterey Park. (Photo by RMG News)
Detectives work the scene of a mass shooting on Sunday, January 22, 2023 at Star Dance in Monterey Park where 10 people were killed Saturday night near where the community was celebrating the Lunar New Year. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Detectives work the scene of a mass shooting on Sunday, January 22, 2023 at Star Dance in Monterey Park where 10 people were killed Saturday night near where the community was celebrating the Lunar New Year. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Detectives work the scene of a mass shooting on Sunday, January 22, 2023 at Star Dance in Monterey Park where 10 people were killed Saturday night near where the community was celebrating the Lunar New Year. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
FBI agents walk near a scene where a shooting took place in Monterey Park, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023. Nine people were killed in a mass shooting late Saturday in a city east of Los Angeles following a Lunar New Year celebration that attracted thousands, police said. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Monterey Park Police officers at the scene of a mass shooting on Sunday, January 22, 2023 in Monterey Park where 10 people were killed at a dance hall near the community’s Lunar New Year festival. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Detectives work the scene of a mass shooting on Sunday, January 22, 2023 at Star Dance in Monterey Park where 10 people were killed Saturday night near where the community was celebrating the Lunar New Year. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Detectives work the scene of a mass shooting on Sunday, January 22, 2023 at Star Dance in Monterey Park where 10 people were killed Saturday night near where the community was celebrating the Lunar New Year. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna, Homicide Bureau Captain Andrew Meyer; FBI Assistant Director Donald Alway, Los Angeles Field Office; Monterey Park Mayor Henry Lo; Monterey Park City Manager Ron Bow; Monterey Park Chief of Police Scott Wiese and County and Community Leaders discuss the recent mass shooting that occurred in Monterey Park at the Monterey Park City Hall on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Monterey Park Chief of Police Scott Wiese discusses the recent mass shooting that occurred in Monterey Park at the Monterey Park City Hall on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Monterey Park Police Officer Flores stands guard on Sunday, January 22, 2023 near the scene of a mass shooting in Monterey Park where 10 people were killed at a dance hall near the community’s Lunar New Year festival. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lai Lai Ballroom and Studio in Alhambra on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A sign on the door at Lai Lai Ballroom and Studio in Alhambra on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Journalists gather at Lai Lai Ballroom and Studio in Alhambra on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A police officer stands outside Lai Lai Ballroom and Studio in Alhambra, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023. The studio is located a few miles away from a ballroom dance club where a mass shooting took place following a Lunar New Year celebration. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
A sign on the door at Lai Lai Ballroom and Studio in Alhambra on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
“We don’t believe it was an assault rifle at this time,” Luna said. He said investigators are following “multiple leads.”
“We are still in the process of interviewing dozens of witnesses,” Luna said at shortly before 9 a.m.
He said five men and five women were killed. It was not known if the victims were targeted.
The mass shooting inside a Monterey Park ballroom, at 122 W. Garvey Ave., near the intersection of Garvey and Garfield avenues, happened just after 10:20 p.m. Saturday as residents celebrated the Lunar New Year, officials said.
It was not the city’s Lunar New Year street event, which returned after three years Saturday. Sunday’s street celebration was canceled as a safety precaution, Monterey Park officials said.
Other Lunar New Year events around Southern California would take place Sunday with increased security, officials said.
LAPD Chief Michel Moore said the department has “added patrols across our Asian communities today and will meet with any organizers hosting New Year celebrations.”
Sheriff’s homicide detectives were also in nearby Alhambra on Sunday investigating a reported shooting attempt at the Lai Lai Ballroom & Studio in the 100 block of South Garfield Avenue Saturday night, trying to determine whether the two crimes were connected. That shooting happened between 17 to 22 minutes after the Monterey Park shooting, officials said.
People at the Alhambra business reportedly were able to disarm the male suspect, who fled the scene, and no injuries were reported. Some witnesses in Alhambra described a white cargo van, Luna said.
Ten dead in Monterey Park. I am sickened.
A horrific example of needless gun violence. With bigotry toward AAPI individuals as a possible motive.
The families are in my prayers as we seek information by law enforcement.
We’ll never quit demanding real action on gun safety.
Early Sunday, President Joe Biden said he is monitoring the situation. “Jill and I are praying for those killed and injured in last night’s deadly mass shooting in Monterey Park,” Biden said.
Monterey Park is a city of about 61,000 people according to Census statistics, and is located east of Los Angeles between the 10 and 60 freeways. About 65% of its residents are Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
Thuy Tran, 52, of El Monte, was on her way to meet a friend on Garvey Avenue Sunday morning when she encountered road blocks and police cars in the area.
She said over the last 40 years she has often come to Monterey Park to shop and eat.
“I met my boyfriend right over there,” she continued, pointing to a row of shops just north of the shooting location.
She noted that the area is known for its restaurants. Mama Lu’s Dumpling House is just up the street. The Lunar New Year Festival is especially a good time to eat traditional food and be with family.
“Who would want to do this?” Tran asked. “On New Year’s?”
Anyone with information about the shooting is 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).
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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