Rep. Chu Commemorates First Anniversary of Monterey Park Mass Shooting
MONTEREY PARK, CA — Sunday, January 21, 2024, will mark one year since a gunman entered Star Dance Studio in Monterey Park, California, and opened fire, murdering 11 individuals and seriously wounding 9 others. The shooter then went on to Lai Lai Ballroom in Alhambra, attempted to enter and continue his killing spree, and was only stopped by the heroic actions of Brandon Tsay, who saved countless lives that day. This shooting, the worst in Los Angeles County history, occurred on the eve of Lunar New Year in a community that is majority Asian American and is considered the first suburban Chinatown in the nation.
Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) released the following statement to commemorate the day:
“Sunday marks one year since a truly unconscionable mass shooting in my hometown of 38 years, Monterey Park, that devastated and terrified the Asian American community nationwide. I mourn and honor the eleven people, all of whom were of Asian descent, who were murdered on one of the most important and celebratory days of the year for our community. My heart is with the victims’ families and survivors today, many of whom are still recovering from the senseless violence and trauma of that day and grappling with the terrible anguish of losing loved ones.
“As we grieved and healed this past year, I was encouraged by the remarkable stories of hope and unity; so many of my neighbors, and strangers from across the country, courageously offered support, raised money for the families affected, and helped us process the trauma. Immediately after the shooting, local advocates and organizations mobilized and continue to support the victims today with translation services, government resources, fundraising, and mental health care, as well as long term assistance at the MPK Hope Resiliency Center at Sierra Vista Park Community Center. Starting moments after the attack through the present day, we have received critical federal resources from leaders in the Biden-Harris Administration, many of whom visited Monterey Park themselves, including Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, and Administrator of the Small Business Administration Isabel Guzman. And, I am enormously grateful for President Biden, who came to Monterey Park, personally consoled each of the victim’s families, and announced historic executive actions to reduce gun violence and save lives.
“No community should experience what Monterey Park has over this past year. That’s why I’ve long fought to ban high-capacity magazines, implement universal background checks, and restore the assault weapons ban. Additionally, I have introduced the Language Access to Gun Violence Prevention Strategies Act, to build on the President’s action to further strengthen ‘red flag’ laws and other gun violence prevention strategies by ensuring resources are disseminated in a culturally appropriate manner and made available in-language for immigrant and Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.
“These efforts are all incredibly crucial to our collective recovery and healing process, but I am most of all so heartened by our own community’s support for each other and our unyielding determination that Monterey Park’s vibrancy can be restored. I know that our community is a resilient one, and this past year has proven that in countless ways. In the aftermath of tragedy, our community continues to be a beacon of strength.”