January 22, 2023 Monterey Park mass shooting news

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said investigators have confirmed that the man found dead inside a white cargo van after a standoff with police in Torrance, California, is the same person suspected of carrying out a mass shooting in Monterey Park Saturday night.

Luna said that after the standoff, officers found the man dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Luna identified the suspect as Huu Can Tran, 72.

Officials also believe Tran was the gunman disarmed by a group of people at a dance studio in Alhambra, California, shortly after the mass shooting Saturday night, the sheriff said.

Evidence found in the van where Tran died linked him to both the Alhambra and Monterey Park scenes, according to Luna, who said there are "no outstanding suspects" linked to the massacre.

A news conference with law enforcement officials to discuss the mass shooting in Monterey Park is underway at Monterey Park City Hall.

The speakers are expected to include Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna, Homicide Bureau Captain Andrew Meyer and Monterey Park Chief of Police Scott Wiese, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

President Joe Biden offered his condolences following the shooting in Monterey Park, California, that killed at least 10 people Saturday night at a dance studio near a Lunar New Year festival celebration.

Biden acknowledged the impact on the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community as officials continue to investigate a motive. (Remember: It’s too early to say whether the massacre was a hate crime because the motive remains unknown, said Capt. Andrew Meyer of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.)

"Even as we continue searching for answers about this attack, we know how deeply this attack has impacted the AAPI community. Monterey Park is home to one of the largest AAPI communities in America, many of whom were celebrating the Lunar New Year along with loved ones and friends this weekend," he said.

Biden reiterated that he has called for full federal support for local and state authorities. 

"As we await more crucial information from law enforcement, I want to assure the community of Monterey Park and the broader area that we will support you in every way we can," he concluded.

The Los Angeles Times is reporting that the driver of the white van believed to be tied to Monterey Park ballroom shooting is dead.

Multiple law enforcement sources told The Times that the driver died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound and at least two bullet holes had been visible in the driver’s-side window in the moments prior to their approaching the vehicle.   

CNN crews on the scene in Torrance have yet to see the driver removed from the van since SWAT teams made entry.  

Earlier Sunday, law enforcement sources told CNN’s John Miller that preliminary information from the ground in Torrance was that the police attempted to do a car stop of a white cargo van, which fit the description of a vehicle of interest from the Saturday night shooting in Monterey. As they commanded the occupant to exit the van, they heard and believed the driver might have shot himself. 

In the last hour, Torrance-area community leaders held a news conference and referred questions about the fate of the driver and the incident’s possible connection to the mass shooting to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office. 

Officials in Torrance, California, held a press conference Sunday after a police standoff involving a white cargo van potentially linked to the Monterey Park mass shooting.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn and Torrance Mayor George Chen thanked law enforcement for their work.

When Hahn, Chen and Torrance Police Department Sgt. Ron Salary were asked about what happened, the status and whereabouts of the driver of the cargo van and the incident’s possible connection to the mass shooting, all questions were referred to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Officials in Los Angeles will hold a news conference a 4:30 p.m. PT local time (7:30 p.m. ET).

A news conference to discuss the mass shooting in Monterey Park will be held at 4:30 p.m. local time (7:30 p.m. ET) at Monterey Park City Hall, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

The speakers will include Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna, Homicide Bureau Captain Andrew Meyer and Monterey Park Chief of Police Scott Wiese, according to the LASD.

Leaders across the US shared messages of support for the community of Monterey Park, California, after Saturday night's deadly mass shooting at a dance studio.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer:

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy:

“When any community cannot gather to celebrate without fear of being the victim of the next mass shooting, we have lost our way," Murphy tweeted. "All of New Jersey stands firmly with the AAPI community in Monterey Park, CA. We cannot be a nation where such gun violence is tolerated and normalized.”

Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee:

“My heart goes out to the victims, survivors, and the families affected by another senseless mass shooting," McKee said in a message shared on social media. "Lunar New Year is supposed to be a time of celebration with friends and family, not heart break. We must do all we can to stop the scourge of gun violence in America.”

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker:

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee:

“Again. Another moment of celebration & community stolen by someone intent on violence & destruction," Inslee tweeted. "This time on the eve of Lunar New Year in a community where 65% of residents are Asian American. Our hearts go out to Monterey Park as we await more info.” 

Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox:

"We mourn with the Asian American community and all those affected by the terrible tragedy in Monterey Park, CA," Cox said in a statement. "As the investigation of this heinous crime continues, we pray for the victims and send the support of all Utahns."

The standoff in Torrance, California, involving a white cargo van, which fit the description of a vehicle of interest from Saturday night's shooting in Monterey Park, is over, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Special Enforcement Bureau (SEB) tweeted.

“SEB SWAT operation for an armed suspect in Torrance has concluded. Neighborhood safe," the bureau said.

No additional information was provided.

A law enforcement tactical team has moved in and started searching a white cargo van that was involved in a standoff with officers in Torrance, California.

Aerial video from CNN affiliate KABC showed officers approaching the van with rifles drawn. One officer was seen breaking the passenger side window, then reaching inside and opening the door. Officers then opened the side doors and started searching the vehicle.

Law enforcement sources earlier told CNN that the van is potentially linked to the Monterey Park mass shooting. Officers heard what they believed was the sound of the driver shooting himself during a standoff that started after officers pulled the van over, the sources said.

Asked about the standoff, which was still ongoing as Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna held a news conference Sunday afternoon, the sheriff said he didn't yet know if the person in the van was the suspect in Saturday's mass shooting at a dance studio.

Torrance is a city in Los Angeles County's South Bay region, located about 30 miles southwest of Monterey Park.