According to police, the suspect in a dance hall shooting rampage in Monterey Park Shooting went to a police station weeks prior to tell that his family had attempted to poison him, among other allegations. Huu Can Tran, 72, entered a Hemet police station on January 7 and 9, “alleging past fraud, theft, and poisoning claims involving his family in the Los Angeles area 10 to 20 years ago,” according to the Hemet Police Department.
Tran, who lived in Hemet, said he would return to the station with verification of his claims, but he never did, according to the department. The department did not provide any other information on the gunman’s visit to the station.
Sheriff Robert Luna of Los Angeles County said his department was investigating if the complaints Tran made to Hemet police led to the “madness that occurred” Saturday. Hemet is around a hundred miles southeast of Monterey Park.
One of Tran’s neighbors told NBC4 that he was a friendly man who constantly smiled and waved at her. Ronald Smith agreed that Tran, who he said went by “Andy” and kept to himself, was friendly. Smith observed Tran riding his motorcycle and washing his van, which he seemed to take great delight in.
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Pat Roth, another neighbor, said Tran appeared to be harmless. “He didn’t seem like the type to hurt a fly. He wasn’t a large man. When you walked by, he’d pet your dog. ‘I can’t believe that was him,’ said one of my friends last night “Roth stated.
Smith, on the other hand, found it weird that Tran had almost no furnishings in his home. Smith observed that he never saw Tran’s relatives or friends. Neighbors Say Monterey Park Shooting Suspect Was Pleasant. How to Get Free Tax Preparation and a Quicker Refund.
Police are still investigating why Tran shot and killed at least 11 people on Saturday night at a Lunar New Year party. The 11th victim died in a hospital on Monday. Another nine people were hurt in the incident, including those who are still in serious condition.
Monterey Park Mayor Henry Lo told NBC News that the reason could have had a personal link with the dance venue. Lo stated that there appeared to be a “history of domestic violence,” but provided no further specifics. “We realize that he may have a history of visiting this dance venue, and perhaps the motivation has to do with certain personal relationships,” Lo added.
Tran filed for divorce in Los Angeles County in 2005, according to court records. NBC News has sought out comments from the individual believed to be his ex-wife. Police said Tran was found dead in a van in Torrance from a self-inflicted gunshot wound hours after the shooting.
According to the Star Ballroom Dance Studio’s website, “Star Night” will be held Saturday night from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. It was unclear whether the shooter knew anyone who attended the dance hall event. The identity of two victims have been released by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office: Mymy Nhan, 65, and Lilan Li, 63. Nhan’s first name was first spelled My by the coroner’s office, but her family eventually gave the right spelling.