‘We pray for them’: Joe and Jill Biden pay tribute to the ten victims of the Chinese New Year dance studio massacre – as Kamala Harris condemns ‘senseless act of gun violence’
- Ten were killed and ten injured in the massacre at a California dance studio
- The President and First Lady tweeted their condolences to the victims of the shooting
- Vice President Kamala Harris tweeted against gun violence
- The shooting suspect remains at large while police search the Los Angeles area
The President and First Lady offered their condolences to the victims of Saturday night’s Lunar New Year mass shooting that left 10 dead and 10 injured at a California dance studio.
Joe Biden tweeted that he and his wife Jill “prayed for those killed and injured” at the mass shooting, noting that he is closely monitoring the unfolding situation as police continue to search for the shooter.
Shortly after Biden’s statement, Vice President Kamala Harris took to Twitter on Sunday afternoon to speak out against the “senseless act of gun violence,” noting that she and her husband Doug were praying for the victims.
The gunman discharged a gun in the Lai Lai ballroom, about an hour after a nearby Lunar New Year celebration. The weapon involved is not believed to be an offensive weapon, as previously reported.
President Biden advised local residents to follow law enforcement orders as the search for the shooter continues.
“Jill and I are praying for the dead and injured in last night’s deadly mass shooting in Monterey Park,” he wrote.
“I am closely monitoring this situation as it develops and urge the community to follow the guidance of local officials and law enforcement in the hours ahead.”
Vice President Harris wrote that she and the President are assisting local authorities in pursuing the investigation.
“Overnight another community was torn apart by a senseless act of gun violence,” she wrote. “To the families affected in Monterey Park, Doug and I mourn with you — and pray for you.”
‘@POTUS and I will continue to give our full support to local authorities as we learn more.’
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris both spoke out for the victims of the massacre on Sunday
Sunday Lunar New Year celebrations around the area of the mass shooting have been cancelled
The update came as a desperate law enforcement manhunt is underway in the Los Angeles area. The suspect was described as an Asian male.
Horrific images showed victims being stretched from the scene before being taken to hospital while police officers and ambulances swarmed the area.
Police officers said crowds of terrified festival-goers poured out of the area “screaming” as bullets continued to fly.
Monterey Park has canceled the Lunar New Year events that were scheduled to take place near and around the dance hall on Sunday.
Dozens of police officers and firefighters fanned out at the scene, but the gunman remained at large as of Sunday morning
Firefighters were seen treating the injured in the parking lot outside the dance studio on Saturday night
Interior of the Star Ballroom in Monterey Park, California where filming took place on Saturday night
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said the 10 victims, who were injured at the scene but not pronounced dead, were left in stable to critical condition.
Luna said members of his squad are fervently searching for the suspect: “I see it in their eyes. They want to get this guy and they will.’
He added that it remains unclear whether the ballroom massacre was linked to a second shooting that took place two miles down the road in the minutes after the first shooting.
Scott Wiese, the Monterey Park Police Chief, said that while it is now safe to attend Lunar New Year celebrations in other parts of the community, the investigation launched today is extensive and will last “many days and perhaps many months.” ‘
Wiese said law enforcement is seeking information from the community and hopes members will work closely with law enforcement as the search continues.