We begin with that mass shooting
at a southern Californian
lunar New Year celebration.
It happened at a ballroom dance
studio called Star Dance in
this city of Monterey Park,
just east of Los Angeles.
You have 10 unresponsive inside.
And you have two that are still
in critical condition of breathing
the shooter, opening fire,
killing ten people, injuring 10 more,
some still in critical condition tonight.
The suspect 72 year old who can Tran,
who killed himself as police approached
his white van in a Torrance parking lot.
Just the sound of gunfire just is
terrorizing in such a lovely community
as Monterey Park where people are
just loving and the lunar festivals
going on and it's just, it's very sad.
Investigators say a second incident and
another ballroom in a neighboring suburb
is tied to the shooting and that situation.
Authorities say an armed Asian man walked in,
but some of the people there
wrestled that gun away.
The suspect escaped, leaving the gun behind.
Nobody was seriously hurt.
ABC 10s Luke Clary has been on the
ground for us in Monterey Park all day.
Luke, how are people processing all of this?
Alicia, it's difficult for people to process.
It's been difficult for people
to get their heads around this.
And you know, I really can't overstate
for you the significance of the
Lunar New Year holiday in this
predominantly Asian American community.
About an hour and a half ago,
police removed the security
perimeter in front of the ballroom,
giving us our first look at it.
And the entrance, where, as you can see,
a memorial is starting to grow.
People just stunned that something like this.
It could happen here.
Your understanding,
your breath of
peace hours into the Lunar New Year,
searching for answers.
This land needs your father some
finding comfort in prayer after
10 people were shot and killed at
a dance hall in Monterey Park,
the Asian American enclave on the
eastern edge of Los Angeles County,
where more storefront signs are
written in Chinese than English.
People. There are just dancing.
They're kind people.
They're dying. Lives nearby.
You just taking a friend to
Star Dance studio days earlier
I feel very sorry about.
What happened last night,
it was cleared
away. The decorations and carnival
rides from streets packed with people.
Saturday officials cancelled Sunday
night's events following the shooting.
I don't think people will have any mode
to celebrate it because of the security.
Everybody's worrying about their
security and you know that shouldn't,
that shouldn't should not happen here.
You know I live in the next street in in
here. Nico Chang joined the crowd
waiting to learn more Chinese.
Everybody's waiting. I
hate you know, it's now it's 10 over.
So where is gang man in where,
you know, as authorities offered new
details about the gunman and their
investigation into his deadly rampage,
people still searching for answers.
It's really
unbelievable. It's really
unbelievable, I mean.
We're human being, right?
We're human beings.
The question why heavy on their hearts?
And even as more details came
to light throughout the day,
this has been difficult
for people to process.
We're beginning to see more flowers
and more memorials throughout
this community of Monterey Park.
And there will be vigils and
funerals to come. Alicia.
All right. Thanks, Luke.
And right here, people also planning
to hold vigils as well. Stay safe.
President Biden tonight ordering flags
at half staff throughout sundown
Thursday to honor the victims.
The Governor, Gavin Newsom also
speaking out tonight, saying,
quote what should have been a night of
joyful celebration of the Lunar New Year.
Instead, they were the victims of a horrific
and heartless attack of gun violence.
Our hearts mourn as we learned more about
the devastating acts of last night.
The mass shooting sent shock
waves across California and right
here in the Sacramento area.
Local API organizations offering
their condolences to those impacted
and speaking out against gun
violence tonight I spoke with the
Executive director of the Sacramento.
Asian Pacific Cultural Village,
just one of many groups responding
to what's happened today.
It's an unfortunate reminder that
no community is spared. It really
can affect all of us at any time.
OK? Community and state still in shock
after a gunman opened fire on a Southern
California ballroom dance studio,
killing ten people and
injuring several others.
The community where it happened?
Monterey Park, a primarily Asian
community around 65% of the population.
The shooting happened just as
a lunar New Year celebration
in the city was ending.
For the night,
it's a very challenging time,
a day filled with emotions.
Jason Jung, executive director of the
Sacramento Asian Pacific Cultural Village,
saddened to hear of the news.
Jiang says he hopes communities
will not let this deter them from
expressing pride in their heritage.
It is absolutely important
to continue celebrating our
cultural traditions, especially.
Now as a lot of communities have been on
the receiving end of of hate and violence,
especially with the pandemic and
some of the harmful rhetoric that
has been expressed by our leaders,
we're still expressing our strength
and resolve as a Community to combat
anti Asian American and Pacific
Islander violence wherever it occurs.
And and so that alone just I think.
Makes it more important for us to
find these moments where we can
celebrate who we are and to not be
deterred by any form of violence.
And he says more work needs to
be done on the legislative front
is a reminder. First and foremost for
the importance of gun safety legislation
groups across the region speaking
out about the attack in a statement,
the California Commission on Asian and
Pacific Islander American Affairs saying,
quote even as we grieve while
bringing in the Lunar New Year,
we ask you to take the time to heal,
reach out to loved ones and other
community members that need our support.
In due time, we look forward to
working with you to continue
fighting for California that is free.
Violence and hate and where
everyone feels safe and valued.
Sacramento State University also sending
out a message to students saying,
quote the shooting turned a day of
joyous lunar New Year celebration into
a day of shock, horror and grieving.
We must continue to demand change
in our culture and in gun laws to
end the mass shootings that have
become too common in America.
The school is offering support services
for students and staff as well.
Lunar New Year events in our
area still scheduled to go on.
We have a list on our website, abc10.com.
Also in response to this shooting,
the California API legislative caucus
will hold a vigil on the West steps of
the state Capitol tomorrow at 2:30 PM.