Motive unknown in Monterey Park mass shooting that left 10 dead; suspect had no criminal history

MONTEREY PARK, Calif. (KABC) — Authorities are nonetheless making an attempt to find out a motive for the gunman who killed 10 folks and injured 10 others at a Monterey Park dance studio, slayings that left the group in shock.

The suspect, 72-year-old Huu Can Tran, was discovered lifeless from an obvious self-inflicted gunshot wound in a van in Torrance Sunday, the tip of an hours-long manhunt for the shooter.

In accordance with legislation enforcement, the suspect had no felony historical past that has been discovered. Investigators are trying into the likelihood that home violence might have performed an element in Saturday’s mass taking pictures.

The following day, legislation enforcement officers swarmed and entered the van linked to the suspect, after surrounding it for hours earlier than moving into. An individual’s physique seemed to be slumped over the wheel and was later faraway from the automobile. At a night information convention, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna confirmed the physique discovered was that of the suspected shooter.

Authorities mentioned Tran used that van to flee after he was prevented from attacking one other dance corridor in Alhambra, about 17 minutes after he opened hearth on the Star Ballroom Dance Studio on West Garvey Avenue.

On the Alhambra ballroom, Tran walked in with a firearm and a few people wrestled the firearm away, Luna mentioned.

A surveillance picture obtained by Eyewitness Information exhibits the second a person contained in the Lai Lai Ballroom confronted the suspect and disarmed him. Tran then fled the scene.

Little or no is understood about Tran or his connection to the focused group and dance halls. Public data present he as soon as had addresses in Monterey Park and neighboring cities.

However Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna mentioned the motive remained unclear for the assault, which additionally wounded 10 folks. Talking at a Sunday night information convention, Luna mentioned the entire folks killed seemed to be over 50. No different suspects have been at giant, in keeping with the sheriff.

“I nonetheless have questions in my thoughts, which is: What was the motive for this shooter? Did he have a psychological sickness? Was he a home violence abuser? How did he get these weapons and was it via authorized means or not?” Congresswoman Judy Chu mentioned.

Luna added that the suspect was carrying what he described as a semi-automatic pistol with an prolonged journal, which the sheriff mentioned he believed is against the law to have in California. A second handgun was found within the van the place Tran was discovered lifeless.

Monterey Park Police Chief Scott Wiese mentioned Sunday night that inside three minutes of receiving the decision simply after 10 p.m. Saturday, officers arrived on the dance studio in Monterey Park. There, they discovered carnage inside and folks making an attempt to flee via all of the doorways.

“Once they got here into the parking zone, it was chaos,” Wiese mentioned.

“The primary officers on scene have been a few of my youngest officers,” Monterey Park Police Chief Scott Wiese mentioned. “That they had solely been on the road for a brief time frame.”

Wiese mentioned the officers arrived at a scene that “none of them had been ready for,” however did not hesitate to go in.

Luna mentioned authorities have been on the lookout for that white van after witnesses reported seeing the suspect flee from Alhambra in such a automobile.

Sources inform ABC7 that the license plates on that van have been stolen. L.A. County sheriff’s picked up that license plate in Alhambra. Utilizing that license plate data, the Torrance Police Division pulled the van over at round 10:20 a.m.

WATCH: Van linked to Monterey Park taking pictures suspect had stolen license plates, sources say

Police heard a gunshot from contained in the automobile after the driving force pulled into the parking zone. Police tactical models have been then requested to the scene.

“So the sharing of data is what led Torrance Police Division to have the ability to just do good police work by truly recognizing this van on their streets,” mentioned L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn.

Legislation enforcement have been seen converging on the suspect’s cell house in Hemet Sunday night after serving a search warrant.

Tran lived there for a couple of yr, in keeping with neighbors. Pat Roth says he was a dance teacher, however did not know a lot else about him. He says he lived alone.

“He did not strike me as having an indignant bone in his physique, however that is simply seeing him coming and going,” Roth mentioned. “So I do not know. It is a little bit unnerving.”

In the meantime, seven of the wounded folks remained within the hospital Sunday night time, Luna mentioned..

The sheriff mentioned the division normally does not disclose the names of hospitals the place victims of violent crimes are being handled. However on this case, he mentioned, a disturbing incident reinforces the choice to maintain that data personal.

“Any individual known as a type of hospitals to say one thing alongside the strains of they wish to go and end the job,” Luna mentioned. “That’s completely horrible.”

“Please, these victims and survivors are coping with a lot. Let’s not traumatize them extra.”

All households and victims impacted by the taking pictures are urged to go to the Langley Senior Heart at 400 W. Emerson Avenue, the place there’s a disaster response group.

Luna mentioned 5 ladies and 5 males are among the many deceased victims.

These victims haven’t been formally recognized by authorities but, however pals recognized one of many folks killed as dance teacher Ming Wei Ma. He was identified for his persistence and understanding.

Pals say he gave his life making an attempt to avoid wasting others.

“Mr. Ma, who could be very beloved and revered within the dance group, and he is been doing that for over 20 years – he was making an attempt to cease the shooter, and he handed away,” pal Eric Chen mentioned.

The bloodbath in Monterey Park was the nation’s fifth mass killing this month. It was additionally the deadliest assault since Could 24, when 21 folks have been killed in an elementary college in Uvalde, Texas.

The taking pictures occurred within the coronary heart of its downtown the place purple lanterns embellished the streets for the Lunar New Yr festivities. The celebration in Monterey Park is one in all California’s largest. Two days of festivities, which have been attended by as many as 100,000 folks in previous years, have been deliberate. However officers canceled Sunday’s occasions following the taking pictures.

The Related Press contributed to this report.