Lunar New Year Mass Shooting Suspect Found Dead Possibly By Suicide

Saturday, Jan. 21., the Lunar New Year festivities began in Los Angeles to commemorate the Chinese new year. The highly anticipated eve of the celebration abruptly then turned to tragedy.

Unfortunately, gunfire interrupted the night and claimed the lives of 10 people.

Just outside Star Dance Studio in Monterey Park, a gunman fired several rounds that claimed the lives of 10 people, with another 10 injured. 

While many are mourning, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department may have identified a suspect.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna shared that witnesses gave an account of an Asian man and a white van as “a van of interest. 

https://twitter.com/LACoSheriff/status/1617241146710962178

On Saturday evening, an attempt to identify the suspect occurred at 10:22 pm as surveillance captured the Asian male wearing a black printed hat, a black jacket, and glasses.

L.A. County Sheriff Luna also shared that before the suspect retreated to his van, he escaped to another location in a nearby suburb. Some individuals then overtook the shooter and “wrestled the firearm” from him.

Death by Suicide

Sunday, Jan. 22, authorities closed in on the white van allegedly connected to the horrific homicide. The SWAT team could see someone inside the vehicle just near Sepulveda Boulevard and Hawthorne. Incidentally, the person was deceased with 2 gunshot wounds coinciding with a possible suicide.

Police say this white van is connected to Saturday night’s mass shooting in Monterey Park. During a standoff Sunday in Torrance, the driver appears slumped over the wheel. Image source: Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times.

Los Angeles Times reported that Robert Luna the Sheriff on the case was brief in sharing any motives. “We’re not only looking at that situation or scenario, but we’re making sure that we’re looking at any and every possibility,” he said.

Following the tragic shooting, the Monterey Park Lunar New Year has ceased the celebration which originally would have concluded on Sunday.

While details of the night continue to pour in, many condolences go out to all of those involved.

Written by Antoinette Ford

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