Monterey Park Mass Shooting: Reactions Pouring In
What should have been a joyous celebration of the Lunar New Year has ended in unspeakable tragedy. Our hearts go out to the Asian American community and the devastated families in Monterey Park, California. — PBS SoCal | KCET
MONTEREY PARK (CNS) - Local, state and federal officials are reacting to Saturday night's deadly mass shooting in Monterey Park, where at least 10 people were killed when a gunman opened fire at a ballroom dance studio during a Lunar New Year celebration.
Here are some of their statements:
President Joe Biden: "Jill and I are praying for those killed and injured in last night's deadly mass shooting in Monterey Park. I'm monitoring this situation closely as it develops, and urge the community to follow guidance from local officials and law enforcement in the hours ahead."
He issued a proclamation, which stated:
"As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on January 21, 2023, in Monterey Park, California, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, January 26, 2023. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations."
Vice President Kamala Harris: "Overnight, yet another community was torn apart by a senseless act of gun violence. To the Monterey Park families impacted: Doug and I mourn with you — and pray for you. @POTUS and I will continue to provide full support to local authorities as we learn more."
Overnight, yet another community was torn apart by a senseless act of gun violence. To the Monterey Park families impacted: Doug and I mourn with you—and pray for you. @POTUS and I will continue to provide full support to local authorities as we learn more.
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) January 22, 2023
Alhambra Mayor Sasha Renée Pérez: "To have this tragedy occur on Lunar New Year weekend, makes this especially painful. Monterey Park is home to one of the largest #AAPI communities in the country. This is a time when residents should be celebrating with family, friends and loved ones — not fearing gun violence."
L.A. County District Attorney George Gascón: "The mass shooting that occurred overnight in Monterey Park is unspeakable. Our office has been on site with Monterey Park PD, LASD, and our federal law enforcement partners. No community should have to experience a horrific tragedy like this — especially on a day meant for festivity and joy. We stand with the Monterey Park Community and everyone involved."
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass: "The reports coming out of Monterey Park are absolutely devastating. Families deserve to celebrate the holidays in peace — mass shootings and gun violence are a plague on our communities. As investigations determine whether these murders were motivated by Asian hate, we continue to stand united against all attempts to divide us. My heart goes out to Monterey Park and the families and friends of those lost."
My heart goes out to Monterey Park and the families and friends of those lost. pic.twitter.com/OAg90QlRlL
— Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) January 22, 2023
Chair of the L.A. County Board of Supervisors Janice Hahn: "I am shocked and heartsick over the news of the mass shooting in Monterey Park at that community's Lunar New Year celebration and my prayers are with the victims and their families. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors offers our full support to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna as his department works to bring the suspected gunman into custody. If you have any information that could help investigators, I urge you to call L.A. County Sheriff's homicide detectives at 323-890-5500. Anonymous tips can be made by calling 800-222-8477."
L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis: "I am devastated to learn that ten people have been killed and at least another ten have been injured in a mass shooting that took place in the City of Monterey Park — and that a second possible scene in the neighboring City of Alhambra is also being investigated. In what should have been a morning full of celebration honoring the Lunar New Year, our community is waking up to the shocking news and grieving the loss of loved ones and neighbors.
"Just yesterday, I had the honor of joining thousands of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) residents in the City of Monterey Park for its Lunar New Year Celebration and it was beautiful to see the joy displayed on their faces after this event was postponed for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As we await confirmation of the motive behind this senseless act of violence, I want to express my deep sympathies to the families who lost loved ones. @CountyofLA mourns with you and is committed to supporting you and the entire @CityofMPK community through this difficult time.
— Hilda Solis (@HildaSolis) January 23, 2023
"Monterey Park holds significance as having one of the largest percentages of AAPI residents in the United States. For decades, the city has elevated the cultures and histories of AAPIs in this country — breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes along the way. As we await to see if this is a hate crime, we must continue the work of protecting our communities and keeping them safe.
"I thank President Joe Biden for deploying the FBI which is providing support to the Monterey Park Police Department, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department which is also assisting. My office stands ready to assist all who have been impacted by this tragic incident."
L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger: "No words can bring comfort to the loved ones impacted by last night*s #MontereyPark mass shooting. @CountyofLA is in mourning."
L.A. County Supervisor Holly Mitchell: "It is heartbreaking to learn of the senseless violence that took the lives of 10 people during a time when the Monterey Park community and millions of people around the globe are celebrating the Lunar New Year. I want to extend my deepest condolences to all who are mourning this tragedy. May the principles of the Lunar New Year be upheld even more and help guide our steps through the days ahead."
Gov. Gavin Newsom: "Monterey Park should have had a night of joyful celebration of the Lunar New Year. Instead, they were the victims of a horrific and heartless act of gun violence. Our hearts mourn as we learn more about the devastating acts of last night. We are monitoring the situation closely."
Spent time in Monterey Park today meeting with leaders and those impacted by this terrible tragedy. The strength of this community is incredible.
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) January 23, 2023
No other country in the world is terrorized by this constant stream of gun violence. We need real gun reform at a national level. pic.twitter.com/9XZf0PK7XQ
Sen. Dianne Feinstein: "It was heartbreaking to wake up to another mass shooting, this time at a Lunar New Year celebration. What should have been a joyous event ended in tragedy due to senseless gun violence.
My thoughts are with the victims and their families whose lives were shattered by the latest incident in our nation's epidemic of gun violence. Enough is enough. We must do more to stop these mass shootings. The shooter is still at large and likely armed. If you are in the vicinity, please stay vigilant and safe.
"I have been in touch with the local police and the FBI, who is assisting the investigation, to see if any additional resources are needed. I encourage anyone with knowledge of the shooting to cooperate with law enforcement."
California Attorney General Rob Bonta: "Lunar New Year should be a joyous occasion, but instead the Monterey Park Community is in mourning. My heart is with the victims and their loved ones today. My office is monitoring the situation and has offered our support to local law enforcement as an investigation unfolds."
Rep. Judy Chu, D-Monterey Park: "My heart is broken for the victims, their families, and the people of my hometown Monterey Park who were impacted by the mass shooting that took place during a night of Lunar New Year celebrations. I am closely following the situation."
My statement on the mass shooting in my hometown, Monterey Park, CA: https://t.co/0coUPQ0MSB pic.twitter.com/fix3KrGCvQ
— Judy Chu (@RepJudyChu) January 22, 2023
Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank: "Ten dead in Monterey Park. I am sickened. A horrific example of needless gun violence. With bigotry toward AAPI individuals as a possible motive. The families are in my prayers as we seek information by law enforcement. We'll never quit demanding real action on gun safety."
Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Los Angeles: "My heart goes out to the victims and families of another mass shooting in America, this time in Monterey Park. At a time when many people are celebrating Lunar New Year, we have this horrific tragedy. I am awaiting further details and will be monitoring the situation closely."
Los Angeles City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez: "Lunar New Year is supposed to be a celebration, marking the beginning of a new chapter. Sadly, gun violence prematurely took the lives of 10 individuals and injured another 10 in Monterey Park. I grieve with them and their families.
"This is the deadliest mass shooting in the United States since Uvalde. The trauma that stands in its wake is a reminder that we need Congress to lead more sensible gun laws that keep weapons out of the hands of those unsuitable for ownership and that end access to weapons intended for war. In Los Angeles, our diversity is, and always will be, our strength."
Former Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Bonin: "My God. A mass shooting as people celebrate the Lunar New Year in Monterey Park. This is heartbreaking and devastating."
Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson: "Lunar New Year should be a time of celebration with loved ones. But last night, families in Monterey Park were instead faced with a devastating act of violence. Every community deserves to celebrate without fear. My heart is with the families & all affected by this terrible act."
Los Angeles Controller Kenneth Mejia: "Our hearts go out to those who lost loved ones tonight in our neighboring city, Monterey Park, where a mass shooting just occurred. Monterey Park is home to one of the largest Asian communities in Los Angeles County and many were out celebrating the Lunar New Year."
Diamond Bar Mayor Andrew Chou: "Our prayers are with our friends and colleagues in the great city of Monterey Park. We stand ready to lend our support during this difficult time as we wait for more confirmed details of an alleged mass shooting incident."
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas: "We mourn the tragic loss of lives in Monterey Park, California. We pray for the full and swift recovery of those injured in the shooting. The Department of Homeland Security is fully engaged with our federal, state, and local partners in responding to this horrible shooting."
Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez: "With the whole family of God here in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, I am praying for the victims of this violence. We pray for those killed and injured in this shooting, we ask that God stay close to their families and loved ones. We pray for the wounded to be healed, and we ask that God give strength and guidance to the doctors and nurses who are caring for them.
"We ask that God grant wisdom and prudence to law enforcement and public officials working to make sense of the violence and keep our communities safe.
"And we pray for peace. Peace in the hearts of those who are troubled. Peace in the hearts of those who are afraid and hurting today, and peace for those whose faith has been shaken. We pray also for peace in our own hearts. We pray that we might feel God's love and know that he will deliver us from every evil.
"We ask Our Blessed Mother Mary to intercede for us, to be a mother to us in this hour of pain and uncertainty. May she help us to care for those who are suffering and to be healers and peacemakers in our world."
With the whole family of God here in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, I am praying for the victims of this violence.https://t.co/aMgwpYlnIp pic.twitter.com/75Wv1oXHtk
— Abp. José H. Gomez (@ArchbishopGomez) January 22, 2023
American Jewish Committee: "American Jewish Committee is horrified that the celebration of the Lunar New Year was punctured by this senseless tragedy in Monterey Park. While the motive for the shootings remains unclear, our hearts go out to our friends and allies in Southern California's Asian community."
State Sen. Susan Rubio (D) West Covina: "Please support our local teachers. They have a tough job ahead of them."
Monterey Park Mayor Henry Lo: "Our priority is to make sure that those victims, their family members are given the resources they need to heal. ... Together, we can overcome this tragedy."
Monterey Park Police Chief Scott Wiese: "Tonight's the Lunar New Year, and we would be celebrating that tonight, but obviously, we can't."
