Gavin Newsom urges gun reform in Monterey, where massacre claimed 10 lives
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California Governor Gavin Newson met with Monterey Park residents a day after the Lunar New Year mass shooting that left 10 dead and rocked the community.
Newson was seen walking the city streets and meeting with local officials on Sunday night. The Democratic leader took the opportunity to urge gun reforms.
Their travels come after identified gunman Huu Can Tran, 72, shot multiple people at a ballroom dance studio on Saturday night, leaving five women and five men dead and 10 others injured. 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 terrified by this constant stream of armed violence. We need real nationwide gun reform.’
The mass shooting occurred at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio amid celebrations in the predominantly Asian-American community.
Governor Gavin Newson called for gun reform a day after the Monterey massacre that left 10 dead amid Lunar New Year celebrations. Newsom came to town to meet with local residents and officials.
Huu Can Tran, 72, shot 20 people in a ballroom dance studio, killing 10. The motive for the attack is still unclear. A photo of the man was posted earlier.
Approximately 30 minutes after the massacre, Tran entered the Lai Lai dance hall in nearby Alhambra to attack a second time, but was rebuffed by brave patrons and his weapon taken away.
Tran fled the scene and was on the run until Sunday afternoon when police apprehended him in the van he used to flee the scene. After an hour-long standoff, Tran died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
After leaving the dance studios, Tran may have gone to a nearby hospital for treatment for injuries that appeared to be from a fight, law enforcement sources told CNN.
Local hospital staff reported that a male matching Tran’s description was seen inside the emergency room.
The man waited for a period of time but then left without treatment, staff said, adding that they recognized him from photos of the wanted gunman posted on the sheriff’s department’s Twitter account.
Police later gave chase on Sunday after identifying the van he used to flee the dance studio. Tran was in a standoff with officers until he shot himself.
The Democratic leader was seen walking the streets of Monterey
He met with local officials a day after the massacre. He wrote on Twitter: ‘The strength of this community is incredible’
Newsom acknowledged the massacre on social media Sunday morning. He called it “a horrifying and ruthless act of gun violence.”
Newsom then shared his trips to the city and called for gun reform.
Huu Can Tran died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the van he used to flee after his second shooting attempt was thwarted by ‘hero’ sponsors.
Newsom acknowledged the massacre early Sunday as he mourned the lives of those killed by Tran.
“Monterey Park should have had a night of joyful Lunar New Year celebration,” Newsom wrote.
“Instead, they were the victims of a horrifying and ruthless act of gun violence. Our hearts weep as we learn more about last night’s devastating acts. We are monitoring the situation closely.
The governor also officially proclaimed Lunar New Year a state holiday on Sunday and ordered all state buildings to fly their flags halfway in remembrance of the victims.
The first shooting occurred in the 100 block of West Garvey Avenue, which is where the Star ballroom dance studio is located (pictured)
Interior of the Star Ballroom in Monterey Park, where the shooting occurred Saturday night
Community members were dancing and celebrating after a Lunar New Year celebration that had ended about an hour before the shooting.
It is later revealed that Tran was once a dance instructor at the studio where he struck out in the early 2000s when he lived five minutes away in the San Gabriel Valley.
Tran’s friends, who have been close to the gunman since the early 2010s, revealed to CNN that he was “hostile to a lot of people” in the studio and believed they were saying “bad things about him.”
In addition to teaching dance nearly five times a week, Tran was also a truck driver and registered a business, Tran’s Trucking Inc., from 2002 to 2004, according to documents obtained by CNN.
It’s unclear when Tran stopped giving lessons at the studio, but he moved to Hemet in 2013 after some 20 years in Los Angeles.
Tran’s friend lost contact with the gunman the moment he moved and was shocked to learn of the massacre.
The friend also recalled that Tran was quick to anger and did not trust people.
Multiple victims were reported after the shooting in California during New Year’s celebrations.
Lunar New Year Sunday celebrations in the area of the mass shooting were cancelled.
The gunman’s ex-wife, whose identity was not released, recalled that she met Tran for decades during a dance lesson and it wasn’t long before they were married.
The couple weren’t married long before he filed for divorce in 2005. She remembered the first time she met Tran and he offered her free dance lessons.
Tran’s love seemed to fade quickly as she claimed her former instructor lost interest in her and was easily angered when she messed up the choreography.
His marriage license showed that Tran is an immigrant from China.
Tran was carrying what was described as a semi-automatic handgun with an extended magazine, and a second handgun was discovered in the truck where he was found dead, authorities said.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said Tran’s motive is still unknown, but said it is believed he intended to kill more people.
“He intended to kill more people,” Luna said at a news conference Sunday night. “They saved lives,” she said of the sponsors. This could have been so much worse.
The exact ages of the victims were not released, but Luna appeared to be in her 50s, 60s and older. Seven of the injured remained at the hospital, she said.
The gruesome footage showed the victims being dragged from the scene before being rushed to hospital as police and ambulances poured into the area.
Police officers said crowds of terrified festival-goers poured out of the area “screaming” as bullets continued to fly.
Tran was carrying what was described as a semi-automatic pistol with an extended magazine, and a second pistol was discovered in the truck where he was found dead, Luna added.
The pistol is designed to take 30-round magazines that allow rapid firing without frequent magazine changes.
Asked if the gun was legal, Luna said, “I think the gun…it’s not legal to have here in the state of California.”
Luna said she needed to check with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for more details on the legality of the weapon.
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 festivities across the country. Other cities sent additional officers to monitor the celebrations.