Huu Can Tran, Asian immigrant, killed 11 at California dance club, ex-wife met him there, disarmed by worker, mental health, criminal history probed.
Huu Can Tran was a 72-year-old Asian immigrant who on Sunday opened fire in the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park, California, killing 11 people before shooting himself as police moved in on him. Tran had been a regular at the dance club, and had met his ex-wife there two decades ago. He had emigrated to the United States from China, and had worked as a truck driver.
Tran’s ex-wife said he was not violent, but could be impatient, especially if he felt he was being shown up. He had sold his home in San Gabriel in 2013 and had been living in a mobile home in Hemet, California.
Police in Hemet said Tran had visited the police station earlier this month alleging past fraud, theft, and poisoning allegations involving his family in the Los Angeles area 10 to 20 years ago. Investigators are now focusing on Tran’s previous interactions at the two dance studios, and are looking at whether jealousy over a relationship was the motive.
Tran shot himself dead on Sunday as police officers approached the white van he had been driving. LA County Sheriff Robert Luna said investigators were probing Tran’s mental health and criminal history.
The tragedy has deeply impacted the small city of Monterey Park, which is majority Asian. Many in the community were celebrating Lunar New Year when the shooting occurred. Tran’s ex-wife said he was not violent, and his friend said he had been a regular at the dance studio for many years. Investigators are now trying to understand what led Tran to commit such a violent act, and are looking into his mental health and criminal history. The community is still in shock, and are struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.
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