TO UPDATE, with press conference: The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has released photos and a description of the man suspected of killing five men and five women in Monterey Park last night in an area where a New Year’s Eve celebration was held.
At least 10 other victims were taken to local hospitals and are listed in varying conditions from stable to critical.
The shooting happened on Saturday at 10.20pm on West Garvey Avenue after a large festival for Asian communities. Another incident happened about 20 minutes later when a gunman entered a dance hall in the nearby city of Alhambra. This man was disarmed by others in the hall and fled before the police arrived. The police now suspect a connection between the two incidents.
The surveillance photos were taken of the incident in the dance hall. Luna said in a tweet that authorities have identified him as a homicide suspect.
Meanwhile, in Torrence, Calif., SWAT teams surrounded a white van outside a mall that appeared to be a “van of interest” in the shooting, LA Sheriff Robert Luna said just after 12:30 p.m. on a told a news conference. Luna says one person is said to have been barricaded in the van, but could not confirm that the man had anything to do with the shooting.
As the situation in Torrence unfolded live on news broadcasts, police now opened a door to the van, with media reports suggesting officers may have heard a gunshot and believed the person in the van was dead. The condition of the person has not been confirmed.
Luna said before, “Could this be our suspect? Possible.” Luna said authorities are withholding the suspect’s name at this time. He also said that despite previous media reports, police do not believe the gunman used a powerful offensive weapon.
Luna said in a previous bulletin that authorities were looking for an Asian man, between 30 and 50, about 5 feet tall and weighing 300 pounds. He was reportedly wearing a black leather jacket, hat and glasses.
The City of Monterey Park has canceled the second day of the Lunar New Year Festival.
Author: Gregory Evans
Source: Deadline
Joseph Fearn is an entertainment and television aficionado who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a keen eye for what’s hot in the world of TV, Joseph keeps his readers informed about the latest trends and must-see shows.
