The gunman within the lethal taking pictures at a dance corridor in Monterey Park that left 10 individuals useless and at the least 10 others injured as they celebrated the Lunar New 12 months might have been focusing on his ex-wife and will have had a “historical past of home violence,” town’s mayor stated Monday.
Talking with NBC Information’ Kate Snow, Monterey Park Mayor Henry Lo stated he believed the ex-wife had been on the Star Ballroom Dance Studio when the shooter, recognized by authorities as Huu Can Tran, opened fireplace on the dance corridor.
He stated there gave the impression to be a “historical past of home violence” and that it was potential the suspect had been focusing on his ex-wife, however didn’t develop additional.
Comply with alongside right here for reside protection
Investigators have been probing the background of the suspect after the mass taking pictures on the Star Ballroom Dance Studio rocked the majority-Asian neighborhood because it gathered to rejoice the Lunar New 12 months on Saturday.
Tran, 72, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after being stopped by authorities following a manhunt, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna stated Sunday.
“The unimaginable occurred in our neighborhood final night,” Monterey Park Mayor Henry Lo stated in an announcement Sunday, calling the lethal taking pictures a “horrible tragedy.”
“We perceive our neighborhood is on the lookout for solutions,” he stated, promising to replace residents because the investigation continues.
Sources conversant in the investigation stated an individual in a white van subjected to a visitors cease within the coastal metropolis of Torrance, about 30 miles from the crime scene, had match the outline of an individual seen at crime scenes in each Monterey Park and adjoining Alhambra, the place a gunman had entered one other dance corridor with a firearm shortly after the taking pictures in Monterey Park.
Comply with alongside right here for reside updates
The gunman was rapidly disarmed by neighborhood members within the second incident and managed to flee the scene.
As authorities, together with SWAT officers, moved in on the van, they discovered the suspect had died. A number of items of proof within the van linked him to each crime scenes, Luna stated. A handgun was additionally discovered within the van, he added.
A motive within the lethal incident remains to be unclear, Luna stated.
The potential of a hate crime was a part of the probe, however authorities have been additionally working to find out whether or not the suspect knew any of the victims, Luna stated. Finally, he stated, getting solutions will take time.
“We don’t know if that is particularly a hate crime outlined by legislation, however who walks right into a dance corridor and weapons down 20 individuals?” Luna stated earlier Sunday “The outline now we have now’s of a male Asian. Does that matter? I don’t know. I can inform you that every little thing’s on the desk.”
Residents of Monterey Park gave the impression to be on alert Sunday, with Lo saying town’s emergency dispatch facilities have been being “inundated with calls.”
“The Monterey Park Police Division is asking for the general public’s assist in solely using 911 for emergency associated calls,” he stated.
A survivors useful resource middle was established at Monterey Park’s Langley Senior Heart, he stated, including that psychological well being assets have been out there for “anybody who wants help.”
Households and associates gathered on the middle by a lot of Sunday, ready to listen to information of family members who they feared may need been among the many 10 individuals killed or injured.
“I attempted to succeed in her, however I didn’t get any response,” Monterey Park resident Vivian King stated of a good friend she final heard from earlier within the weekend.
“It’s troublesome not figuring out what’s occurring,” stated Juan Pablo Pinzon, a vacationer from Colombia who stated his cousin had been out with associates within the space Saturday night time and had not responded to texts and calls. “Hopefully, we’ll hear one thing quickly.”