Lunar New Year Massacre: Monterey Park mass shooting victims

LOS ANGELES – Eleven people were killed in a mass shooting at a ballroom dance studio in Monterey Park during Lunar New Year’s celebrations on Saturday. The suspected shooter, 72-year-old Huu Kang Tran of Hemet, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the SWAT scene in Torrance. The detectives continue to look for a motive.

The death toll rose to 11 on Monday morning after another victim died from his injuries while in hospital. The identity of the 11th victim has not yet been released.

This is the worst mass shooting in Los Angeles County since a disgruntled ex-husband killed 11 people in Covina in 2008.

The massacre was the fifth nationwide massacre this month and was one of California’s largest celebrations of the holiday, celebrated in many Asian cultures, dealing another blow to a community that has been the target of high-profile violence in recent years.

Here’s what we know about the victims that have been identified.

Ming Wei Ma

Dance instructor Ming Wei Ma, 72, also known as Mr. Ma, was killed in the latest act of selflessness, witnesses said, as he first lunged at the suspected attacker.

Friends at the Langley Center remembered him as the man who sacrificed his life to save others.

“He was extremely respected, very loved, very caring teacher, instructor, extremely kind person, and was greatly missed by everyone in the Star Dance community,” said friend Eric Chen.

Mimi Nan

Detectives have confirmed that Mimi Nhan was the first person Tran shot to death before he went on a rampage at the dance studio.

The 65-year-old was an avid dancer who went to the Monterey Park dance studio on weekends for years, according to her family.

“We’re still diving into what happened to Mimi… we’re starting Lunar New Year broken. We never thought her life would end so suddenly,” Nhan and Quan’s family said. “If you knew her, you would know that her warm smile and kindness are contagious. She was a loving aunt, sister, daughter and friend. Miami was our biggest cheerleader.”

Lilan Lee

Lilan Lee, 63, was confirmed as one of the victims. Los Angeles County Coroner.

Xiujuan Yu

Xujuan Yu, 57, was confirmed by the Los Angeles County Coroner as one of the victims.

Valentino Alvero

Valentino Alvero, 68, was confirmed by the Los Angeles County coroner on Monday as one of the victims.

Other victims

The remaining victims were not publicly identified until the family was notified, but the coroner confirmed that they:

The Associated Press contributed to this report. This story will be updated.