Ming Wei Ma has been identified as the first victim of the Monterey Park mass shooting. Ma was the owner of Star Dance Studio where the shooting took place. At least 10 people were killed in the shooting and another 10 wounded. The gunman, identified as 72-year-old Huu Can Tran, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound when cops closed in on him in his van.
Shortly before 10.30pm on Saturday, the gunman opened fire inside the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park, California. The first victim has been identified by friends as Ming Wei Ma who rushed towards Tran with an intention to disarm him and stop the massacre. Police are yet to release the names of the victims.
Who was Ming Wei Ma?
Ming Wei Ma was the owner of the Star Ballroom Dance Studio and also a dance instructor.
“Heartbreaking and it’s unthinkable that it would happen,” Chen added.
Star Ballroom Dance Studio has been offering dance classes for several years.
A story published in the Pasadena Star-News in 2016 said many of the instructors and students were immigrants.
“I want to provide an active place for the Asian community of Monterey Park to help prolong their life and improve their health,” Ming Wei Ma had told the outlet at the time.
“Having a place where people from all over the world can come together and communicate through dance is how I can help.”
