Monterey Park shooting: Suspect found dead after killing 10 [Video]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Police identified the suspect of the Monterey Park shooting as a 72-year-old Asian man.
• The suspect attempted another shooting in Alhambra after killing 10 and injuring 10 more at a dance studio in Monterey Park.
• He fatally shot himself after law enforcement surrounded the van he was driving.

Authorities found the Monterey Park shooting suspect dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a van about 30 miles away from the scene of the crime.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna identified the suspect as Huu Can Tran, a 72-year-old Asian man.

Luna said that they have yet to find a motive for the attack as the investigation is still ongoing.

The shooting took place at a dance studio in Monterey Park at about 10:20 p.m. on Saturday, on the eve of the Lunar New Year. The holiday is widely celebrated in many Asian communities.

Ten people — five men and five women — were killed, and at least 10 more were injured. Capt. Andrew Meyer of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said that the injured victims were transferred to multiple hospitals and were in various conditions that ranged from stable to critical. Authorities have yet to publicly release their names.

The suspect immediately fled the scene and was on the run until mid-day Sunday. His photo was released as authorities conducted the search.

On Sunday afternoon, authorities identified the white van he was driving in Torrance and surrounded it with armored vehicles. As law enforcement contacted the suspect, he fatally shot himself.

According to Luna, the suspect attempted a second shooting at another dance studio in the neighboring city of Alhambra about 20 to 30 minutes after the first shooting. The suspect had walked into the scene with a gun but “two heroes” wrestled his weapon away from him.

As of the 2020 census, about 65% of Monterey Park’s population of around 60,000 people are Asian.

Monterey Park Mayor Henry Lo expressed their condolences to the victims and their families, stating, “It is important for us to be there for them and provide the support they need for what will be a time of healing in the next months and years.”

President Joe Biden tweeted, “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.”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said they are also “monitoring the situation closely.” He tweeted, “Monterey Park should have had a night of joyful celebration of the Lunar New Year. Instead, they were the victims of a horrific and heartless act of gun violence. Our hearts mourn as we learn more about the devastating acts of last night.”

Source: People