In Memoriam

Honoring the memory of the Monterey Park victims

MyMy Nhan, 65

Before emigrating from Vietnam to Rosemead in the 1980s with her family, Nhan grew up in Ho Chi Minh City. She loved ballroom dancing and fashion, and she shared her passion for ballroom dancing with her friends by introducing many to it. One of Nhan’s longtime instructors, Maksym Kapitanchuk, expressed his admiration of Nhan’s dedication to dancing, noting that she attended every evening dance session.

Muoi Dai Ung, 67 Ung was a refugee from Vietnam who immigrated to the United States to join other family memebers also from Vietnam. She loved to eat, dance, and gamble. Although Ung did not live in Monterey Park, she enjoyed spending her time there with the community, where she built strong bonds with the AAPI community.

Ming Wei Ma, 72

Before Ma emigrated from China to California with his wife, he was part of a well-known dance group in China. He was one of the managers of the Star Ballroom Dance Studio and he also loved to dance there. At Star, Ma was very encouraging to other dancers by paying them many compliments.

Xiujuan Yu, 57 Yu emigrated from China to the United States in the early 2010s with her husband and their three children. She and her husband worked hard to provide a good life for their children.

Hongying Jian, 62 Jian emigrated from the Sichuan province to the United States. She liked to play volleyball and the piano, and she also had a passion for singing and dancing.

Diana Man Ling Tom, 70 Tom was a mother, wife, and grandmother who had a passion for dance. She was the eleventh victim who later died at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center on Sunday, Jan. 22.

Valentino Marcos Alvero, 68 Alvero was a husband and a father of two children in their 30s. He loved ballroom dancing and danced at Star Ballroom Dance Studio for years.

Wen-Tau Yu, 64 Yu was an immigrant from Taiwan. Although Yu was not known to be a dancer by his family, he had plans to be a pharmacist, having just started school in order to achieve his goal.

Yu-Lun Kao, 72

Kao emigrated from Taiwan to the United States about 20 years ago with his brother. Kao was a contractor who dealt with selling items used to make windows and gates. In addition to being a contractor, he was also a dancer. He was not married and did not have any children.

Lilan Li, 63

California’s Covid state of emergency ends on Feb. 28

BY MEREL TAN

On Oct. 17, California governor Gavin Newsom announced that California’s Covid State of Emergency will end on Feb. 28. In general, a governor can declare a State of Emergency when they deem a situation to be dangerous enough that state aid is required to “supplement local resources in preventing or alleviating damages, loss, hardship, or suffering.”

Lone gunman attacks, kills several at Monterey Park dance studio

The Monterey Park Police Department first received reports of shots fired around 10 p.m. before officers arrived to the 100 block of West Garvey Avenue around 10:20 p.m. 72-year-old Huu Can Tran opened fire on multiple Monterey Park residents attending an event at Star Dance Studio in California’s largest mass shooting event since the 2021 San Jose shooting. 10 people were pronounced dead at the scene, and 10 others were taken to surrounding hospitals in varying conditions. One additional victim passed away in a hospital on Jan. 23. It is unknown whether the event took place in relation to the Lunar New Year event also held in the area.

Approximately 20 minutes after the shooting at Star Dance Studio, Tran attempted another attack on Lai Lai Ballroom in Alhambra, only to have his gun taken from him by a bystander, Brandon Tsay. The patrons of the ballroom claimed to have witnessed Tran fleeing the area in a white van, which was pronounced to be of interest by investigators.

The morning of Jan. 22, a photo of the suspect was released on Twitter by Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna. The suspect was described as an Asian male — about 5’10” and 150 pounds — wearing a black leather jacket, beanie, and glasses. In combination with the identified escape vehicle, Torrance police were able to locate Tran late Sunday morning. According to the officers, they called for backup after hearing a single gunshot from within the vehicle. After a several-hour long police standoff, SWAT entered the vehicle and found Tran dead via a self-inflicted gunshot wound. According to police officials, a handgun was found within the van, in addition to other evidence linking Tran to the Monterey Park shooting. In a statement released by the City of Monterey Park, it was announced that a memorial was established at Monterey Park City Hall, 320 W. Newmark Avenue, to honor the victims and survivors.

“Our city has shown resilience in times of crises and we will continue to show the nation what an exceptional community we are,” Mayor Pro Tem Jose Sanchez said. “We will get through this together.”