Deadly shots near Los Angeles: police are still looking for the perpetrator

After the shots were fired during a Chinese New Year celebration in California, the perpetrator is still on the run. Much is unclear – including whether there is a connection with another incident nearby.

Rescue workers, helicopters, yellow tape – even hours after the crime in Monterey Park. A local resident says on television that he only thought of fireworks when he heard the shots. He was sad and shocked.

Tens of thousands celebrated the Chinese New Year on the streets, in restaurants and clubs on Saturday evening. Monterey Park has a large Asian community. The shots were apparently only fired after many of the revelers had already left.

“It could have been a lot worse. Just hours before we were all together, just a block away,” said Chudy Chu, the county congresswoman. The crime scene is the “Star Ballroom Dance Studio”. A club that also hosts dance classes during the day and parties in the evenings. “Starnight” was on Saturday evening. According to the plan, the event would have lasted until half past eleven. The first emergency call came in at 10:22 p.m.

Looking for a man of Asian descent

The rescue workers were on site after a few minutes – but the perpetrator was already gone. Ten people were killed: five women and five men. Ten other people were injured, some of whom are in critical condition.

A press conference was delayed by half an hour. Sheriff Robert Luna asked for patience, much is still unclear. A reporter wants to know if it is a hate crime. “We don’t know. But who goes into a dance club and shoots 20 people?” Luna replies. The perpetrator was described as “Male Asian” – a man of Asian descent, between 30 and 50. “Does that matter? I don’t know.”

Much is still unclear

There are hardly any details: what weapon he used, how he escaped, where he might be? Nothing is said about this. Many witnesses would still be questioned. Also, the suspect might be watching the press conference right now. They want to get him off the street now.

The police are also checking whether an incident in the Alhambra, a few kilometers away, is related to the crime in Monterey Park. Here, too, a gunman entered a dance hall. But his gun was taken away from him, says the sheriff, and the perpetrator fled.

The Chinese New Year celebrations originally planned for the entire weekend have been canceled in Monterey Park. “I know that people will get through this,” says Congresswoman Chu. “Together.”