MONTEREY PARK, Calif. – One year after a tragic mass shooting at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park, California, where 11 people lost their lives, a candlelight vigil will be held to honor the victims on Sunday, Jan. 21. The shooting took place on the eve of Lunar New Year, a day of celebration and joy for many, leaving the community devastated and in mourning.
The vigil, scheduled to take place from 6 to 8 p.m. outside Monterey Park City Hall, aims to provide a space for reflection and healing as the city remembers its darkest day. The event will mark the culmination of a week of remembrance for the victims and the impact of the tragic shooting that occurred a year ago.
In the wake of the shooting, Monterey Park has been on a journey of healing, with both survivors and the families of the victims, as well as first responders and city leaders, seeking resources and support to cope with the trauma and loss. This tragedy has also prompted calls for gun violence legislation and assault bans, along with visits from VIPs, including the President of the United States.
The vigil will include a prelude, featuring Buddhist chanting, Christian prayer, a string quintet performance, a Tongva blessing, and concluding with the candlelight vigil. Elected officials, survivors, family members, and residents will also deliver remarks during the event.
The community invites the public to join in honoring the memory of the victims and to stand united against violence at the vigil. The event will be an opportunity to come together, seek comfort, and remember the lives that were lost.
For those planning to attend, the candlelight vigil will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 21, with a prelude beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Monterey Park City Hall, located at 320 W. Newmark Ave.