(UnitedVoice.com) – The Monterey Park, California community was celebrating the Lunar New Year on January 21. About an hour after the party, people gathered in the Star Ballroom Dance Studio to continue their joyful night. Suddenly, a tragedy unfolded that left a community and the White House reeling.
Law enforcement began receiving calls before 10:30 p.m. alerting them of shots fired. The suspect, later identified as 72-year-old Huu Can Tran, began shooting in the dance studio. Police initially reported 10 people died in the event, but on Monday, the death toll rose to 11.
After the shooting, the suspect fled the scene and went to another studio, the Lai Lai Ballroom. At that location, someone wrestled the gun away from him. He again fled the scene, kicking off a massive manhunt. On Sunday, law enforcement found Tran in a van, but he killed himself as they approached.
President Joe Biden issued a statement on Sunday, expressing his and First Lady Jill Biden’s sympathies.
Jill and I are praying for those killed and injured in last night’s deadly mass shooting in Monterey Park.
I’m monitoring this situation closely as it develops, and urge the community to follow guidance from local officials and law enforcement in the hours ahead.
— President Biden (@POTUS) January 22, 2023
In addition to the 11 people who died, nine others suffered injuries in the attack. The sheriff’s department doesn’t have a motive for the shooting just yet but is still investigating the crime.
Two days after the shooting in Monterey, there was another in Half Moon Bay near San Francisco. On Monday, January 23, the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office announced police were responding to a shooting near Highway 92.
The Sheriff's Office is responding to a shooting incident with multiple victims in the area of HWY 92 and the HMB City limits. Media is requested to approach from the north and stage at the Half Moon Bay substation at 537 Kelly Ave. in Half Moon Bay
— San Mateo County S.O (@SMCSheriff) January 23, 2023
The New York Times later reported that around 2:20 p.m., multiple people were shot at two separate locations. At least seven people died in the incidents. California Assemblyman Marc Berman (D) spoke out about the shootings on Twitter, mentioning that just two hours prior, he was at a vigil for the Monterey victims and is now mourning people in his own district.
Two hours ago I joined my colleagues on the Capitol steps for a vigil for the victims of the shooting in Monterey Park. Before we’ve even had a chance to mourn them, there is yet another mass shooting – this time in Half Moon Bay. In my district. https://t.co/JqSl0H1xib
— Marc Berman (@AsmMarcBerman) January 24, 2023
Law enforcement arrested Chunli Zhao, 67, who is cooperating, for the Half Moon Bay shootings.
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