Monterey Park Mass Shooting Victims: Here’s what we know so far

MONTEREY PARK, Calif. (KABC) — As community members mourn the deaths of 11 in the Monterey Park mass shooting, we learn about the victims and survivors.

Witnesses say about 50 people were in the dance studio when the gunman opened fire on Saturday night. Among the victims who died are five women and five men, ranging in age from 50 to 70, according to the Los Angeles County Coroner.

Four victims of the shooting were treated at LAC+USC Medical. On Monday, officials confirmed that one of those patients had died.

The coroner has so far identified two of the female victims as My Nhan and Lilan Li. Both were in their 60s.

The rest have not yet been officially identified by authorities, but friends identified one of those killed as dance teacher Ming Wei Ma. He was known for his patience and understanding.

Friends say he gave his life to save others.

“Mr. Ma, who is well loved and respected in the dance community and has been for over 20 years – he tried to stop the gunman and he died,” said friend Eric Chen.

A shooting survivor posing as Shally was dancing with her longtime friend and dance partner when the gunman entered the Star Ballroom Dance Studio and opened fire.

She said she grabbed her dance partner and hid under a table. Her 62-year-old boyfriend, whom she refuses to identify, was shot in the back, saving her in the shooting.

As the shooter left, she tried to wake up her dance partner, but realized he had been shot.

Meanwhile, seven of the 10 wounded remained hospitalized as of Sunday night, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said.

The sheriff said the department does not typically release the names of hospitals that treat victims of violent crime. But in this case, he said, a troubling incident reinforces the decision to keep that information private.

“Someone called one of these hospitals to say something along the lines of wanting to go and finish work,” Luna said. “This is absolutely awful.”

“Please, these victims and survivors are connected to so much. Let’s not traumatize them any more.”

All families and victims affected by the shooting are urged to go to the Langley Senior Center at 400 W. Emerson Avenue where a crisis response team is located.