California Gov. Gavin Newson met with residents of Monterey Park a day after the Lunar New Year mass shooting that killed 10 people and shook the community.
Newson was seen walking the city streets and meeting with local officials on Sunday night. The Democratic leader took the opportunity to push for gun reforms.
His trip comes after identified gunman Huu Can Tran, 72, shot dead several people at a ballroom dance studio late Saturday, killing five women and five men and injuring another 10 people. Tran died Sunday from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after an hour-long standoff.
“The strength of this community is incredible,” Newsom wrote on Twitter. “No other country in the world is terrorized by this constant stream of gun violence. We need real gun reform at the national level.”
The mass shooting took place at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio amid celebrations in the predominantly Asian-American community.
Gov. Gavin Newson pushed for gun reforms a day after the Monterey massacre that left 10 dead during Lunar New Year celebrations. Newsom arrived in town to meet with residents and local officials
Huu Can Tran, 72, shot 20 people in a ballroom dance studio, leaving 10 dead. The motive for the attack is still unclear. A photo of the man had previously been published
About 30 minutes after the massacre, Tran entered the Lai Lai ballroom at the nearby Alhambra to strike a second time, but brave patrons fought him off and took his gun.
Tran fled the scene and was at large until Sunday afternoon, when police stopped him in the van he was in to flee the scene. After an hour-long standoff, Tran died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
After Tran left the dance studios, he may have gone to a nearby hospital to be treated for wounds that appeared to be from a fight, law enforcement sources told CNN.
Local hospital staff reported that a man matching Trans’s description was spotted in the emergency room.
The man waited a while but then left without treatment, staff said, adding that they recognized him from photos of the wanted shooter posted on the sheriff’s department Twitter account.
Police chased him later Sunday by identifying the van he used to escape the dance studio. Tran was at a standoff with officials until he shot himself.
The Democratic leader was seen walking the streets of Monterey
A day after the massacre, he met with local officials. He wrote on Twitter: “The power of this community is incredible”
Newsom confirmed the massacre on social media Sunday morning. He called it “a horrible and heartless act of gun violence”
Newsom later recounted his trips to the city and called for gun reform
Huu Can Tran died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the van he fled after his attempt at a second shooting, which was foiled by “hero” patrons
Newsom acknowledged the massacre early Sunday and mourned the lives of those killed by Tran.
“Monterey Park should have had a night of merry Lunar New Year celebrations,” Newsom wrote.
“Instead, they fell victim to a horrific and heartless act of gun violence. Our hearts grieve as we learn more of last night’s devastating acts. We are monitoring the situation closely.’
The governor officially declared the Lunar New Year a holiday on Sunday and ordered all state buildings to fly their flags halfway to commemorate the victims.
The first shooting took place in the 100 block of West Garvey Avenue, where the Star Ballroom Dance Studio is located (pictured).
Interior of the Star Ballroom in Monterey Park where filming took place on Saturday night
Community members danced and celebrated after a Lunar New Year celebration that ended about an hour before the shooting
It was later revealed that Tran was once a dance instructor at the studio where he assaulted in the early 2000s while living five minutes away in the San Gabriel Valley.
Trans friends who have been close to the shooter since the early 2010s revealed to CNN that he was “hostile towards a lot of people” in the studio and believed they were saying “nasty things about him.”
Aside from teaching dance nearly five times a week, Tran was also a truck driver and incorporated a company, Tran’s Trucking Inc., from 2002 to 2004, according to documents obtained by CNN.
It’s unclear when Tran stopped teaching in the studio, but he moved to Hemet in 2013 after about 20 years in Los Angeles.
Trans friend lost contact with the gunman around the time he was moving and was shocked to hear about the massacre.
The friend also recalled that Tran was quick to anger and didn’t trust people.
Several casualties were reported after the shooting in California during the New Year celebrations
Sunday Lunar New Year celebrations around the area of the mass shooting have been cancelled
The shooter’s ex-wife, whose identity has not been revealed, recalled that she had met Tran decades ago during a dance class and it wasn’t long before they tied the knot.
The couple hadn’t been married long before filing for divorce in 2005. She recalled the first time she met Tran and he offered her free dance lessons.
Trans love seemed to fade quickly when she claimed her former teacher had lost interest in her and was easily annoyed when she screwed up the choreography.
Her marriage certificate indicated that Tran is an immigrant from China.
Tran was carrying a semi-automatic pistol with an extended magazine, and a second pistol was discovered in the van where he was found dead, officials said
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said Trans’ motive is still unknown, but said it’s believed he intended to kill more people.
“He intended to kill more people,” Luna said in a news conference Sunday night. “They saved lives,” he said of the patrons. “That could have been a lot worse.”
The exact ages of the victims were not released, but Luna, they all appeared to be in their 50s, 60s and beyond. Seven of the wounded remained hospitalized, he said.
Horrific images showed victims being stretched from the scene before being taken to hospital while police officers and ambulances swarmed the area.
Police officers said crowds of terrified festival-goers poured out of the area “screaming” as bullets continued to fly.
Tran was carrying a semi-automatic pistol with an extended magazine, and a second pistol was discovered in the van where he was found dead, Luna added.
The pistol is chambered for 30-round magazines, allowing for rapid firing without the need for frequent magazine changes.
When asked if the gun was legal, Luna said, “I believe the gun … is not legal here in the state of California.”
Luna said he needed to consult the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for more details on the gun’s legality.
The shooting and manhunt sent a wave of fear through Asian American communities in the Los Angeles area and cast a shadow over Lunar New Year celebrations across the country. Other cities sent additional officers to oversee the celebrations.