Monterey Park shooting anniversary: Biden reminds nation of need for stricter gun measures

SCREEN CAPTURE / NBC

People memorialized the mass shooting at the Star Dance Studio in Monterey Park, California. 

Asian Americans are back in Monterey Park's dance studios, a year after the deadly mass  shooting rampage took the lives of 11 of their fellow dancers.

President Biden used the anniversary Sunday to remind people of the need for gun safety measures.

 "It’s long past time we banned assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, ended immunity from liability for gun manufacturers, passed a national red flag law, enacted universal background checks, and required safe storage of guns," said Biden in a statement. "We cannot tackle the gun violence epidemic in America while Republicans in Congress sit on their hands."

Sunday, January 21, 2024, marked 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.

The shooting suspect, 72-year-old Huu Can Tran, took his own life later in the evening.

“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," said Congressmember Judy Chu, whose district includes Monterey Park.

This shootings, 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.

“[Monterey Park] has a very central role in the Asian American community, which is why the January 21st shooting impacted so many people,” Henry Lo, a council member and former mayor of Monterey Park, told Time magazine. "A lot of communities look to us as a leader, and I think it’s important to show that we will not forget the victims, but also acknowledge important events in the community."

A memorial vigil was held Sunday and the city will celebrate Lunar New Year with a two-day event.

The dance studios, important social gathering spots for the city's Asian American  residents, are busy again with senior citizens learning the tango and walthz or the latest dance steps. At the Star Dance Studio, a makeshift memorial remembered those that fell victim to gun violence last year.

Victims' families and survivors are still struggling with the tragedy, though. 

“My dad Valentino Alvero was one of the victims, and I cannot express to you how much the community support has helped my family and me heal from losing my dad to tragedy,” Kristenne Reidy told the Orange County Register. “The shock and the grief that came with their deaths traumatize me so much that every time I was invited to a party, especially one with dancing and singing, I couldn’t help but feel a tremor of sorrow, with my dad’s final moments in the back of my mind.”

Chu, who calls Monterey Park her hometown, pointed out that 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 stem the tidal wave of mass shootings plaguing the nation. There were 658 mass shootings in the U.S. last year, according to the the Gun Violence Archive.

"Importantly, we also need Congress to do its part. It’s long past time we banned assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, ended immunity from liability for gun manufacturers, passed a national red flag law, enacted universal background checks, and required safe storage of guns," said Biden. "We cannot tackle the gun violence epidemic in America while Republicans in Congress sit on their hands".

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