An investigator works at the scene of a mass shooting in Monterey Park, California, on January 22, 2023
AFP

KEY POINTS

  • The chairman of Los Angeles' Chinese Chamber of Commerce said the suspect likely had a dispute with his wife
  • Suspect Huu Can Tran was armed with a 9mm caliber, semi-automatic Mac-10 assault weapon
  • Authorities found evidence that Tran was apparently making "firearm suppressors" inside his trailer home

The 72-year-old gunman in the Lunar New Year mass shooting in Monterey Park, California, that left at least 11 dead was allegedly hunting for his wife at two separate dance halls where festivities were underway Saturday night.

An unnamed law enforcement source told Los Angeles Magazine that Huu Can Tran's deadly mass shooting was likely an act of domestic violence.

"There is increasing evidence this was domestic violence," the law enforcement source said.

Chester Chong, the chairman of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles, echoed the law enforcement source's remark, claiming that the shooting stemmed from a domestic dispute between a husband and wife.

"This hate is because of wife and husband," Chong told ABC7 News, adding that the suspect may have been jealous after not being invited to the Lunar New Year celebration that his wife attended. "I believe because of that there was the killing of innocent people."

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said he also heard the jealousy theory, but he didn't confirm if it was the motive during the latest news conference on the incident.

Tran was armed with a 9mm caliber, semi-automatic Mac-10 assault weapon when he stormed into Star Ballroom Dance Studio and unleashed at least 42 rounds of bullets into the crowded hall, the New York Post reported, citing law enforcement officials.

Authorities said the suspect had a stash of "hundreds of rounds" of ammunition when they searched his Hemet trailer home Sunday night.

Aside from ammunition, investigators also found evidence that Tran was apparently making "firearm suppressors" inside his home.

They also recovered a 308-caliber rifle and numerous electronics including cell phones and computers from Tran's home, Luna said.

The new revelations about the mass shooting came after an ex-wife of the suspect told CNN that Tran was once a regular at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio.

The woman, who wished not to be named, said she met Tran at the dance studio two decades ago when he offered her free and informal dance lessons.

Tran's ex-wife said he was not violent but could be impatient, especially if he felt he was being shown up.

On Saturday, at the height of Monterey Park's Lunar New Year celebration, Tran stormed the dance studio and began shooting at the crowd. Ten people were killed on the spot, while one of his hospitalized victims died Monday.

Tran went to a second location, the Lai Lai Ballroom & Studio, with the intent to kill more but was disarmed by a bystander, police officials said.

Tran reportedly died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was found inside a white van parked in a strip mall in Torrance, California.

The incident terrorized the Asian American community in Monterey Park, which led to the cancellation of the second day of the Lunar New Year celebration.

It was one of California's worst mass shootings in recent history and the 33rd mass shooting incident in the U.S. this month.

Residents watch police investigate the scene of a mass shooting in Monterey Park, California, on January 22, 2023
AFP