Monterey Park Community to Honor Lives Lost in Tragic Shooting with Candlelight Vigil

Monterey Park, Calif. – Residents of Monterey Park will gather for a candlelight vigil on Tuesday evening, commemorating two years since a devastating mass shooting on the eve of Lunar New Year celebrations claimed the lives of 11 community members. The city-organized event aims to pay tribute to the victims and unite the community in a stand against violence.

The shooting, which took place on January 21, 2023, at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio, remains the deadliest recorded in Los Angeles County’s history. That night, 72-year-old Huu Can Tran opened fire, killing 11 and seriously injuring nine others. The tragedy interrupted what is typically a vibrant and joyous time for the Asian American community as they prepare to welcome the Lunar New Year.

Shortly after the attack at the Star Ballroom, the gunman attempted to enter another dance hall, the Lai Lai Ballroom & Studio in Alhambra, but was thwarted when Brandon Tsay, a young worker at the studio, courageously confronted and disarmed him. Tsay’s actions have been widely praised as heroic, possibly preventing further loss of life.

The vigil in Monterey Park will feature remarks from local community leaders and representations from organizations focused on healing and recovery. Attendees are invited to bring flowers or other memorial items to place at a designated area near the flagpoles in front of City Hall, where they will remain on display through January 30.

Representative Judy Chu, D-Pasadena, expressed her condolences in a statement, highlighting the impact of the tragedy on families and survivors, “Today, I mourn and honor the 11 lives lost, all of Asian descent, and hold their memory close. My heart is with the victims’ families and survivors as they continue to navigate the grief and trauma of that day.”

Monterey Park is recognized as the first suburban Chinatown in the nation, with a majority Asian American population. The shooting deeply shook this close-knit community, which had gathered to celebrate a cherished cultural tradition.

In the aftermath of the shooting, then-President Joe Biden visited Monterey Park to console the victims’ families. He later announced executive actions to reduce gun violence and emphasized the need for increased gun control legislation during his State of the Union address on February 7, 2023.

This year’s vigil not only serves as a moment to reflect on the lost lives and heroic acts but also sparks a broader dialogue on community safety and gun control. As the community gathers to remember and heal, there is a collective determination to prevent such violence in the future and to strengthen the bonds that define and unite Monterey Park.