(CNN) — At least ten people have been killed in a mass shooting in Monterey Park, California, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
The shooting occurred at a ballroom dance establishment, according to Capt. Andrew Meyer of the Sheriff’s Department.
Saturday’s mass shooting in Monterey Park, California, took place at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio, according to an analysis by CNN, which geotagged a photo taken Saturday night right following the shooting, posted on social media, from inside. of the Star Ballroom Dance Studio.
In that photo you can see at least two individuals lying on the ground. Another individual is seen collapsed, sitting on a sofa.
The suspect in the mass shooting “fled the scene and is still on the run,” Meyer said. He urged anyone with information regarding this incident to “call the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Homicide Department at 323-890-5500. Or if you prefer to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.”
Agents responded shortly following 10:22 p.m. local time, responding to a local business.
Meyer updated earlier figures to say that ten people were killed in the shooting and at least ten others were injured and taken to area hospitals.
“Officers with the Monterey Park Police Department responded to a local business in the 100 block of West Garvey Avenue in the City of Monterey Park regarding a call for gunshots.”
When the agents arrived at the scene, they saw numerous people, customers of the place, “running” and “screaming”.
An earlier press release from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said the mass shooting had claimed the lives of 9 people.
The suspect’s motive is unclear. Meyer did not provide a suspect description at a news conference. “All they’re saying is that he was a man who was here last night around 10:22 pm and started shooting,” CNN’s Camile Bernal reported.
“All I can tell you is that a firearm was used,” Meyer told reporters, but did not provide details on the type of weapon used.
Lunar New Year activities canceled following California shooting
The shooting incident occurred late Saturday near the Monterey Park Lunar New Year festival area, which was scheduled to take place until 9 p.m. local time on Garvey Avenue, between Garfield and Alhambra avenues.
The event that was scheduled to run through Sunday has now been cancelled, according to Monterey Park Police Chief Scott Weise. “Out of an abundance of caution and reverence for the victims, we are canceling the event that will take place later today. The Lunar festival here in Monterey Park has been cancelled,” he told reporters at a news conference.
Previous Lunar New Year events in the city have drawn crowds estimated at more than 100,000 people from across Southern California, according to the city. It is not clear how many people were still gathered in the area when the shots were fired.
Monterey Park is a city in the San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles County, approximately 11 km from downtown Los Angeles.
The Monterey Park community is predominantly Asian
Monterey Park’s community is 65.6% Asian, according to 2020 data from the city’s website.
The city has 61,096 residents, according to the website, which provides the following demographic breakdown:
Asian 65.6%
Hispano o Latino 28,5%
Blanco 14%
Other race: 4.9%
Two or more races: 1.8%
Negro: 0,7%
The median age in the neighborhood is 43.1 years old, the website adds.
It’s too early in the investigation to tell if the suspect knew any of the victims or if it was a targeted shooting, police said.
“We will be looking at all angles as to whether or not this is a hate crime. It’s too early to tell in the investigation,” said Capt. Andrew Meyer of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.