A screenshot of a video shows emergency responders assisting a man into an ambulance following a shooting in Monterey Park, California, US, on January 22, 2023. Photo: TNLA via Reuters
Nine people were killed in a mass shooting late January 21 in a city east of Los Angeles after a Lunar New Year celebration that was attended by thousands, police said.
Sgt. Bob Bose of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said the shooting occurred at a business on Garvey Avenue in Monterey Park. The shooter is a male, Mr. Bois said as early as January 22.
For several hours after dozens of police officers responded to reports of the shooting, officials did not provide any information.
January 21 was the beginning of the two-day celebration, which is one of the largest Lunar New Year events in Southern California.
Screenshot from video shows emergency responders working during a shooting in Monterey Park, California, US, on January 22, 2023. Photo: TNLA via Reuters
Seung Won Choi, who owns the Clam House Seafood Barbecue restaurant across from where the shooting took place, told Los Angles Times That three men broke into his business and asked him to lock the door.
People also told Mr. Choi that there was a shooter with a machine gun who had several rounds of ammunition so that he could reload. Mr Choi said he believed the shooting took place at a dance club.
Police investigating a scene on January 22, 2023 in Monterey Park, California. , photo credit: JC Hong
Earlier in the day, thousands of people participated in the festival.
Footage posted on social media showed police vehicles guarding deserted, cordoned off streets.
Monterey Park is a city in Los Angeles County, approximately 7 miles (11 km) from downtown Los Angeles.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.