On January 21, the neighborhood of Monterey Park, California, was celebrating the Lunar New Year. People met in the Star Ballroom Dance Studio to continue their happy night around an hour after the party. Unexpectedly, a catastrophe occurred, leaving a town and the White House in shock.
Calls to the police started coming in before 10:30 p.m. warning them that bullets were fired. The incident started in the dance studio when the suspect, Huu Can Tran, 72, opened fire. The number of fatalities was first put at 10, but on Monday it was up to 11.
Jill and I are praying for those killed and injured in last night’s deadly mass shooting in Monterey Park.
— President Biden (@POTUS) January 22, 2023
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.
The suspect left the scene of the shooting and headed to a different studio, the Lai Lai Ballroom. Someone seized the rifle from him there and wrestled it from him. He left the area once more, sparking a large manhunt. On Sunday, police discovered Tran in a van, but as they drew near, he committed suicide.
In a statement released on Sunday, President Joe Biden expressed his and First Lady Jill Biden’s condolences.
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
In addition to the 11 fatalities, the attack also injured nine other persons. The sheriff’s office is still looking into the shooting even though they don’t yet know why it happened.
Another shooting occurred at Half Moon Bay, close to San Francisco, two days after the one in Monterey. The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office reported on January 23 that authorities were responding to a shooting along Highway 92.
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
There were many shootings at two different places. The incidents resulted in at least seven fatalities. California Assemblyman Marc Berman (D) commented on the shootings on Twitter, stating that he had attended a vigil for the Monterey victims just two hours earlier and that he is now grieving for individuals in his own area.
