Monterey Park mass shooting: 2nd possible scene in Alhambra cleared after authorities investigate possible connection
As officials investigate a mass shooting in Monterey Park, police converged on a second possible scene in neighboring Alhambra early Sunday.
The second possible scene was located at the Lai Lai Ballroom and Studio on 120 block of South Garfield Avenue though it remains unclear whether the two scenes were connected.
Just before 7 a.m., police cleared the scene, though it remains unclear what connection, if any, may have existed as between the Alhambra location and the site of the Monterey Park mass shooting. The entire area appeared cordoned off while authorities investigated for several hours.
According to early reports, officials were searching to see whether the suspect had gone to that ballroom 17 minutes after the mass shooting, which was approximately three miles away from the Monterey Park incident. Once there, authorities say an Asian suspect had walked into the dance hall armed but patrons there disarmed him. He fled in a white cargo van, which is considered a vehicle of interest. It remains unclear whether the same suspect was involved in both incidents or whether either incident are related.
"We are aware of an incident that occurred in Alhambra and we have investigators on scene trying to determine if there is a connection," said Capt. Andrew Meyer of LASD during a press conference Sunday morning.
"The investigators are working every lead on this case. We are reviewing all surveillance video and following all leads. We are not going to leave anything unturned," Meyer added.
Alhambra's Mayor, Sasha Renée Pérez, shared a statement via Twitter, indicating·
"To have this tragedy occur on Lunar New Year weekend, makes this especially painful. Monterey Park is home to one of the largest #AAPI communities in the country. This is a time when residents should be celebrating with family, friends and loved ones - not fearing gun violence," Pérez said.
No one was injured in Alhambra.