For Immediate Release

January 23, 2023

Contact:

Hyunja Norman (She/ Her/ Ella)

Executive Director, Woori Juntos

hyunjanorman@woorijuntos.org

MONTEREY PARK, CALIFORNIA - Authorities searched for a motive for the gunman who killed 10 people at a Monterey Park, CA ballroom dance club during Lunar New Year celebrations, slayings that sent a wave of fear through Asian American communities and cast a shadow over festivities nationwide.

The suspect, 72-year-old Huu Can Tran, was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Sunday in the van that authorities say he used to flee after being prevented from attacking another dance hall. The mayor of Monterey Park said Tran may have frequented the dance hall he attacked.

The massacre was the nation’s fifth mass killing this month — and it struck one of California’s largest celebrations of a holiday observed in many Asian cultures, dealing another blow to a community that has been the target of high-profile violence in recent years.

It was also the deadliest attack since May 24, when 21 people were killed in an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. Authorities said Saturday’s assault could have been even more deadly. A man whose family runs the venue confronted the assailant in the lobby and wrested the gun from him, The New York Times reported.

Woori Juntos are committed to ending this violence by pushing for common sense gun control policy, including universal background checks, creating violence prevention programs, appropriately funding and hiring for mental and social services, designating gun violence as a public health crisis so funding can support research, and curbing influence and money from the NRA to our elected officials. We also ask our members to commit to the following immediate actions:

• Donate to GoFundMe, to support all those affected. Community members can donate to verified Monterey Park Shooting fundraisers to offer your help.
• Call your Texas State Representative and Senator to demand that gun control policies are introduced and passed in the 2023 Texas Legislature.
• Donate to Everytown to push your representatives to enact more policy for gun safety.

For our California siblings needing a safe confidential helpline, please call 211 to reach LA vs Hate or the following numbers led by Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California for help in seven Asian languages.