California shooting suspect kills himself
STORY: A man... suspected of killing 10 people near Los Angeles on Saturday during Lunar New Year celebrations... has killed himself after being approached by police.
The man's body was found on Sunday in a van in Torrance, California, just a short drive from Monterey Park where Saturday's shooting took place at a ballroom dance hall.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna:
"The white van entered a shopping center parking lot. When officers exited their patrol vehicle to contact the occupant they heard one gunshot coming from within the van."
"The suspect has been identified as Huu Can Tran// He is a 72-year-old male Asian."
Earlier, the sheriff's department released images of Tran apparently taken from surveillance camera footage.
Luna confirmed that he was involved in a second incident at a dance venue in the neighboring city of Alhambra.
Witnesses said Tran walked in holding a gun that patrons were able to grab. No one was
shot and Tran fled.
"...he was disarmed by two community members who I consider to be heroes because they saved lives.”
Investigators do not yet know a reason for Saturday's attack, although gun violence is frequent in the United States.
The celebration in Monterey Park - home to one of the largest Asian American communities in the U.S. - was part of a weekend of Lunar New Year festivities that drew thousands to the city.
As of Sunday night, seven people were still being treated in hospital from the attack, with at least one person in a critical condition.
Local residents spoke of the shock they felt, as dozens gathered to pray for the victims:
“This is a community where my kids took art lessons. We come down here for food all the time. We see elders walking around all the time. This has been a safe neighborhood for them to walk around and have community. Historic Taiwanese Chinese community. So to see this happen in this place is shattering."
The White House flag was lowered to honor the victims.
In a written statement, President Joe Biden condemned the killings and said he had directed his Homeland Security adviser to mobilize federal support to local authorities.
