10 Dead, 10 Injured in Monterey Park Ballroom Dance Studio Shooting

The mass shooting at a ballroom dance studio in Monterey Park on Saturday night has left the community and law enforcement shaken. Ten people are dead and ten others are injured--leaving the entire area on high alert as authorities actively search for the suspect.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna has issued a statement regarding this tragedy, saying: “This is one of the most heinous cases that the county has seen, and we are using every resource to apprehend this suspect as soon as possible.”

The gunman is said to have used a high powered, military-style assault rifle at close range in the 100 block of West Garvey Avenue on Lunar New Year’s Eve around 10:22 PM local time.

When law enforcement arrived on the scene, they witnessed numerous individuals fleeing the building, screaming. Upon entering the location, the officers were met with a grim and heartbreaking scenario--victims lay in wait, begging for help that couldn’t come soon enough.

At his time, the motive of the shooter is unknown, as is whether the New Year’s celebration had anything to do with the shooting.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is currently leading the manhunt for the assailant, and a curfew has been put into effect until the suspect is found. All people in the local area are urged to stay inside, and to call 911 to report any suspicious activity.

The shooting is a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the sheer horror mass shootings can bring to a community. The Monterey Park incident is an isolated one and an isolated case of abject terror that is unfortunately common in America, and this incident is a reminder for us all to take a stand against gun violence and fight for stronger policies that are necessary to protect communities.