California Mass Shooting Death Toll Reaches 11; Authorities Say 72-Year-old Gunman Dead

By Mary Webber Jan 23 2023, 21:03 PM EST

The recent California mass shooting in Monterey Park has become one of the least 36 mass shootings in the United States so far this month.

It particularly targeted members of the Asian community, with the death toll of the massacre reaching 11.

Monterey Park Police Chief Scott Wiese said that officers were on the scene within three to four minutes. The suspect fled and went to another dance studio in nearby Alhambra, where he was tackled and disarmed by a civilian.

Authorities said that the gunman managed to escape, with police finding him a day later in a white van about 30 miles away in Torrance. He was dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The 72-year-old gunman was identified as Huu Chan Tran, who is an elderly Chinese immigrant who was described as being interested in dance and with a hot temper.

The gunman was arrested in 1990 for unlawful possession of a firearm, according to the sheriff.

Meanwhile, nine others were wounded in the shooting. Police identified that the Asian gunman used a pistol for the California mass shooting.

California Mass Shooting

The LA County Sheriff Robert Luna said that the gunman's motive has yet to be known, saying they are "as curious as you are."

Investigators recovered 42 shell casings at the dancehall, which implied that 42 shots were fired in the attack, as reported by BBC News.

One victim was also found in a car outside the venue. It was not immediately clear if the person was shot before the attacker entered the building.

Police identified the gun as a Mac-10 semi-automatic pistol, which had "modifications" done to it. Police did not detail publicly how the gun had been altered.

The victims were women aged between 63 and 65, while other victims included two women and five men, who were all in their 50s, 60s, or 70s.

Wiese said that the problem is that they may never know why the gunman shot the victims, but he reassures the community that the investigation will continue, even though the suspect died.

California Mass Shooting Gunman

Investigators noted that authorities searched the elderly suspect's home, finding a rifle and hundreds of rounds of ammunition, with evidence he was creating gun silencers.

Tran fired 42 rounds at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio, killing 11 and wounding nine.

Luna said Tran drove to a nearby dance hall where Brandon Tsay was working. Tsay tackled the weapon from Tran and saved "countless lives."

Luna went on to say that Tsay was the "hero" who disarmed the suspect and described him as a "brave man."

California business records showed that Tran once owned a trucking company. It was also confirmed by his ex-wife, saying that he sometimes worked as a truck driver.

Tran's ex-wife said he was never violent to her but had a hot temper and would get upset if she missed a step dancing because he felt it made him look bad.

Congressman Judy Chu said that Tran was a serious dancer and offered to give free lessons to people.

Chu added that he and his wife divorced in 2005 after he was critical of her dance moves.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: At least 10 killed in California mass shooting - from CNN