California gunman found dead with self-inflicted gunshot wound

  • 1/23/2023
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The gunman suspected of killing 10 people at a California dance studio is found dead, according to police. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said investigators have confirmed that the man identified as Huu Can Tran, 72, was found dead inside a white cargo van after engaging in a standoff with police in Torrance, California, CNN reported. Luna said the man died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities had been searching for the man after he opened fire at a dance studio in Monterey Park as people were celebrating Lunar New Year weekend. Ten people were killed and 10 others injured in the shooting that took place at 10:22 p.m. (local time) Saturday. Luna said evidence that linked the suspect to Monterey Park and nearby Alhambra was found in the vehicle after the suspect died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He further said that a handgun was also found in the vehicle, according to CNN. Luna said five men and five women were killed in the shooting. According to Sheriff’s department, at least 10 others were injured and “were transported to numerous local hospitals and are listed in various conditions from stable to critical.” Police have not revealed a motive for the shooting, but a witness has told CBS the gunman came to the Monterey Park dance studio to find his wife. She told the outlet that he opened fire on the ballroom without saying anything. "He found his wife there," the witness, who wanted to remain anonymous, said. "He started to shooting everybody... when they dance." The witness could not confirm that the gunman was the same man authorities had distributed a photo of, but said his clothes seemed similar. The man had once been a regular presence at the studio, even meeting his ex-wife there, three people who knew him told CNN. His ex-wife said in an interview that she had met Tran about two decades ago at Star Ballroom Dance Studio, a popular community gathering place where he gave informal lessons. Tran saw her at a dance, introduced himself, and offered her free lessons, she said. The two married soon after they met, according to the ex-wife, who asked not to be named due to the sensitivity of the case. While Tran was never violent to her, she said he could be quick to anger. Tran filed for divorce in late 2005, and a judge approved the divorce the following year, Los Angeles court records show. Tran was an immigrant from China, according to a copy of his marriage license that his ex-wife showed to CNN. President Joe Biden on Sunday ordered all US flags at public buildings to be flown at half-staff until sunset, January 26, according to a statement released by the White House. In a separate statement, Joe Biden and Jill Biden offered condolences to the victims of the mass shooting in Monterey Park. He said that they know how deeply the attack has affected the Asian American and Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islanders community. Monterey Park has a population of about 60,000 with 65% of them being Asians. “While there is still much we don’t know about the motive in this senseless attack, we do know that many families are grieving tonight, or praying that their loved one will recover from their wounds,” he said, adding that the people killed and injured in the attack are in his and his wife Jill’s thoughts. — Agencies

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