Toll in California shooting rises to 11 as police probe 'troubled romantic relationship' as reason

California, US

The 11th victim of the California mass shooting died on Monday (January 23) from wounds sustained during a weekend shooting rampage at a dance hall in the Los Angeles region. The 72-year-old suspected gunman, who was once a regular at the club, killed himself when approached by police on Sunday (January 22).

Huu Can Tran later drove to another dance studio where a "heroic" young man wrestled the weapon off him to prevent another slaughter.

While the reason for the attack is still not clear, multiple law enforcement sources said evidence gathered so far rules out terrorism or a hate crime. 

The Los Angeles Times reported that the police are investigating "jealousy" and a personal relationship as reasons for the shooting. 

Monterey Park resident Chester Hong told AFP  he believed a domestic dispute over an invitation to a Lunar New Year eve party could be at the root of the attack.

"The wife (was) invited to join the party (but) the husband cannot be invited," he said. "And the husband may be upset and jealous."

The 72-year-old suspected gunman killed himself when approached by police on Sunday (January 22), about 12 hours after he had carried out a Lunar New Year shooting rampage at a dance club that left 11 people dead and another 10 injured. 

Luna also spoke about a second incident in nearby Alhambra some 20 minutes later, in which another Asian man carrying a gun walked into a dance studio but was tackled and thwarted. The man fled the scene and no injuries were reported. Alhambra is about two miles north of Monterey Park and investigators are probing whether these two incidents were related. 

Also read | The US has witnessed 36 mass shootings in just 23 days this year

The mass shooting at Monterey Park has been the deadliest attack in the US since May last year, when a gunman killed 19 students and two teachers at a school in Uvalde, Texas. 

Earlier on Sunday, the White House said that President Joe Biden was briefed on the attack and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was instructed to help the local police. Vice President Kamala Harris, meanwhile, tweeted that the Biden administration would continue to provide full support to local authorities. 

"Overnight, yet another community was torn apart by a senseless act of gun violence. To the Monterey Park families impacted: Doug and I mourn with you—and pray for you. POTUS and I will continue to provide full support to local authorities as we learn more," Harris tweeted. 

(With inputs from agencies)

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