California mass shooting witnesses say victims fled to nearby stores as suspect fired indiscriminately

Witnesses to a mass shooting during a Lunar New Year celebration in Monterey Park, California late Saturday night described how victims fled the scene to nearby restaurants for shelter as the suspect shot people indiscriminately.

“It [supposed to be] happy time,” Edwin Chen, who grew up in Monterey Park and rushed to the scene after hearing about the shooting, told the Los Angeles Times. “I want to know as much as possible. It’s still shocking.”

Capt. Drew Meyer of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau confirmed Sunday that 10 people were killed and at least 10 people were injured and taken to local hospitals. According to authorities, the shooting took place on West Garvey Avenue around 10:22 p.m.

The suspect, described only as a man, fled the scene after the shooting and is still at large. As of Sunday morning, the motive is unknown.

CALIFORNIA MASS SHOOTING LEAVES AT LEAST 10 DEAD, OTHERS INJURED AT LUNAR NEW YEAR FESTIVAL; SUSPECTED FOR EVERYONE

Monterey Park is located about 10 miles from downtown Los Angeles and is home to about 65% of Asian Americans, according to the LA Times. Meyer said it’s unclear if the victims were targeted and it’s too early to tell if it was a hate crime.

ATLANTA POLICE ARRESTED 6 DURING THE NIGHT OF CHAOS AFTER VIOLENT PROTESTURS POLICE OFFICER BURNED, WINDOWS BREAKED

“We will look at all aspects,” Meyer said.

Two police officers stand guard near the scene of a shooting in Monterey Park, California on Sunday, January 22, 2023. Dozens of police responded to reports of the shooting, which came after a large Lunar New Year celebration for a community east of Los Angeles late Saturday night.
(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Witness Seung Won Choi, who owns a seafood restaurant near the shooting site, told the Los Angeles Times that three people broke into his restaurant during the shooting and told him to lock the door.

People allegedly told Choi that the suspect was armed with a semi-automatic pistol and had several rounds to reload it. Police have not confirmed what type of weapon the suspect used during the massacre.

MS-13 gang member arrested for killing 20-year-old Marylander with autism

Another man told the publication that his friend was in the bathroom of the ballroom club when shots rang out before 10:30 p.m. club. According to Wei, she managed to escape from the club around 11:00 pm.

Police are investigating the scene of a shooting in Monterey Park, California on Sunday, January 22, 2023. Dozens of police responded to reports of the shooting, which took place after the end of a large Lunar New Year celebration in a community east of Los Angeles. Angeles, late Saturday night.
(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Wei said he was told the shooter randomly fired a long-barrelled shotgun into the crowd, according to the LA Times.

“They don’t know why, so they run,” he said.

A police officer stands near the scene of a shooting in Monterey Park, California on Sunday, January 22, 2023. Dozens of police responded to reports of the shooting, which came after a large Lunar New Year celebration for a community east of Los Angeles late Saturday night.
(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Another local resident, identified only as John, said he heard four or five shots after 10 p.m. and then heard police cars “smashing” the street. He left his apartment at about 11:20 am to see if there was any shooting in the Lunar New Year holiday area.

“My first concern was that I know they have a Lunar New Year celebration,” he told the Times. He saw the festival cleaned up in a day and saw a man being loaded onto a stretcher at the scene of the shooting. He also saw a man with a bandage on his arm, according to the publication.

CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Officials said the Lunar Festival, which was due to take place in Monterey Park late Sunday, was canceled “out of a precaution.”

Police are asking anyone with information to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Unit at 323-890-5500 or call the Crime Squad at 800-222-8477.

Lawrence Richard and Steven Soras of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.