The Los Angeles County Coroner has released the names and ages of the 11 people killed in Saturday night’s mass shooting at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park. Below are some of the tributes posted on social media and fundraising pages.
GoFundMe has consolidated fundraising efforts with a Lunar New Year Victims Fund and a How to Help page.
—
Ming Wei Ma, 72
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Ming Wei Ma, father of Ray Ma and Mary Ma. He was one of the ten people killed in the January 21, 2023 shooting in Monterey Park. He was the owner of Star Dance Studio and built a community that dearly loved and respected him for his kindness and liveliness.”
—
Xiujuan Yu, 57
“On Saturday night, January 21, 2023, my aunt Xiujuan Yu fell victim to a mass shooting at the Star Dance Studio in Monterey Park, California. What was meant to be a night out celebrating the Lunar New Year with friends ended up being a devastating and life-changing event for my family.
After days of uncertainty, anxiety, and waiting in worry, we received the news that my aunt was indeed among the deceased at the incident. This sudden tragedy has struck my family, and despite our best attempts to mourn for her, we graciously ask the community for help in raising funds for her funeral at this time.“
—
Mymy Nhan, 65
“We start the new year broken, learning about the death of Mymy Nhan. She was one of ten people killed in the Monterey Park mass shooting. Mymy loved dancing at Star Ballroom Dance Studio for more than a decade. It was a weekend routine, and we never expected Saturday to be her last.
Mymy, 65, was kind beyond words. She was a caretaker to all people around her. She was a loving aunt, sister, daughter and friend. She was our biggest cheerleader.
The money raised here will be used for Mymy’s funeral. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. We truly appreciate the support of our neighbors and community.“
—
Valentino Alvero, 68
“He was a loving father, a dedicated son and brother, a grandfather who loved his three granddaughters fiercely, an uncle who loved his nieces and nephews like his own. He loved people and hearing about their lives and in return, he shared his own stories with so much gusto and enthusiasm that you couldn’t help but listen and laugh along with him. He loved ballroom dancing, he loved his community, and he was the life of any party. We wish we could let him know that we will all miss him for the rest of our days on this earth. We hope that he danced to his heart’s content until the very end and hope that he his now dancing in heaven.“
—
Yu (Andy) Kao, 72
My wife (Shally) lost this good dancing partner for 15 years. I (Francois) lost a 3 years good friend. Yu (Andy) Kao was a great dancer and like to go dancing every Saturday and Sunday night. He always likes to go dancing at Star Dance Studio or Lai Lai. His nickname “Mr. Nice” came as he likes to help people and also dance with people who didn’t how to dance and teach them to learn the basic step. He likes to socialize we all kinds of people. Always like to help people if he can too. if he heard the music he likes to dance by himself or find someone alone to dance. He took new dance classes to perform his style. Shally and Mr. Nice like to dance together for 15 years. They like to dance all kinds of ballroom dance. We will miss you “Mr Nice”. Sincerely -Arcadia Donuts (Shally & Francois).
—
On behalf of Diana Tom, we, her family, condemn this senseless act of violence that has uprooted the lives of all the victims, their families and the entire API community at large. We honor and support all of those affected. Diana was a hard-working mother, wife and grandmother who loved to dance. On the night of January 21, Diana was at Star Dance celebrating the Lunar New Year by dancing with her friends. To those who knew her, she was someone who always went out of her way to give to others. Diana would be happy to know her legacy will continue with the GoFundMe that will support all of the victims’ families of this tragedy.
Lilan Li, Female, 63 (photo not yet available)
Chia Yau, Male, 77 (photo not yet available)
Hong Jian, Female, 62 (photo not yet available)
Muoi Ung, Female, 68 (photo not yet available)
Wen Yu, Male, 64 (photo not yet available)
