Speakers remember Fil-Am, 10 other victims of mass shooting

Hero Brandon Tsay blocked a mass shooter who had killed 11 people, including Filipino American Valentino Alvero, at a dance studio in Monterey Park. Photo from Julian Do

MONTEREY PARK, Calif. — Officials, activists, residents and members of in-language and mainstream media came together at Repetto Elementary School here Jan. 19 to discuss community healing and hate violence prevention, one year after a mass shooting.

On Jan. 21, 2023, Tran Huu Can, 72, killed 11 people at a dance hall in Monterey Park on the eve of Lunar New Year. Tran then went to another dance studio to continue shooting, but was stopped by Brandon Tsay.

Other speakers included former Monterey Park mayor Henry Lo, and the current mayor, Jose Sanchez (in photo). Photo from Julian Do

The elderly man had engaged with police officers twice before the deadly attack, but got no support for his delusions of his family poisoning him.

Among the victims was Valentino Alvero, a 68-year-old Filipino American who was fondly remembered by his family as the “life of any party.”

The shooting was the worst gun violence in Los Angeles county history. It spotlighted the issues of isolated immigrant seniors, mental health and access to guns.

Tsay was honored by President Joe Biden at his 2023 State of the Union address. He spoke at the Monterey Park memorial, which was sponsored by the Los Angeles Times. Other speakers included former Monterey Park mayor Henry Lo, and the current mayor, Jose Sanchez.

Eighth graders Drexel Ngo and Alina Ramos showcased their emergency app called RED-11 (“eleven” is a tribute to the number of victims). The app can alert student families to an active shooting on campus. “Never again” was echoed by all speakers. (Ethnic Media Services)