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The first victim of the mass-shooting massacre has been identified as the owner of the ballroom studio – who heroically ran towards the gunman.
Ming Wei Ma is one of ten people who were killed in the horrific massacre at the Star Dance Studio in Monterey Park, California, on Saturday night.
Friends of the dance enthusiast have revealed that he was the first one to rush towards the gunman, Huu Can Tran, when he opened fire.
Dozens of people had packed into the studio on Saturday night to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year.
Police say they have not yet defined a motive for the deadly shooting, but sources say Tran could have been hunting for his wife.
Friends of dance enthusiast Ming Wei Ma, left, have revealed that he was the first one to rush towards the gunman, Huu Can Tran, when he opened fire
My Nhan, 65, and Lilan Li, 63, have both been identified as two other victims of the gunman.
Three other women, two in their 60s and one in her 50s, and five men in their 60s and 70s have all been identified as those who were killed.
Ma’s friend, Eric Chen, told CBS: ‘According to the chat, he was the first to rush the shooter. He was just caring, and other first, people first kind of person.
‘It is heartbreaking and it’s unthinkable that it would happen.’
Instructor Lauren Woods added: ‘He was so adorable to me and I could tell he was the heart of Star Ballroom.
‘So many dancers, teachers and organizers were connected with Ma and I personally will miss him dearly.’
Authorities have yet to release the identities of the 10 victims killed in the attack.
Police were called to shots fired at the dance studio at 10:22pm, arriving on scene just minutes later to find ten dead inside of the building.
Ming Wei Ma , right, is one of ten people who were killed in the horrific massacre at the Star Dance Studio in Monterey Park, California, on Saturday night
Huu Can Tran, 72, shot and killed ten people and injured ten more at a dance hall in California – before driving less than three miles to launch another attack
This image shows the inside of the nightclub where the shots were fired and at least ten people were slain
A further two were found critically injured inside and another eight were found with injuries outside of the ballroom.
Seven currently remain in hospital being treated for their injuries, with Tran then traveling to another dance studio less than 2.7miles away.
He entered the Lai Lai Ballroom in Alhambra around 20 minutes after the first shooting, with brave customers managing to disarm him.
Police say that he had planned to shoot at least two more people, before having his firearm taken from him by
Local hospital staff said a man fitting Tran’s description was then spotted inside the emergency room with injuries that appeared to be sustained in a fight.
He waited for a period of time but left without treatment, with staff recognizing him from photos of the wanted gunman posted by the sheriff’s department.
Those inside the studio were pronounced dead at the scene, with the others being rushed to hospital, and seven continue to receive treatment
Police say they have not yet defined a motive for the deadly shooting, but sources say Tran could have been hunting for his wife
Aerial footage shows officials pulling unknown items from the white van after the standoff
Tran was at large until Sunday afternoon when police pulled him over in the van he used to flee the scene.
After an hours-long standoff, Tran died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the vehicle which was later searched by a SWAT team.
In a statement Star Dance said: ‘Thank you for your prayers and thoughts during this difficult time.
‘What should have been a festive night to welcome the first day of the Lunar New Year turned into a tragedy.
‘Our heart goes out to all the victims, survivors, and their families. In this time of healing, we hope that all those who were affected have the space to grieve and process what transpired within the last 24 hours.
‘In the meantime, all classes will be canceled and studio will be closed until further notice.’
Authorities believe Tran acted alone and are not seeking anyone else in connection to the mass shooting.
Tran was carrying what was described as a semi-automatic pistol with an extended magazine, and a second handgun was discovered in the van where he was found dead, officials said
Shortly after he was spotted at the hospital for treatment, Tran was pulled over by police. A SWAT team swarmed the van after a three-hour long standoff
Other survivors have posted their horrifying injuries after being shot by the gunman, with one daughter still searching for her mother after the attack.
Juno Blees said her father Jeff Liu was hospitalized with gunshot wounds after he and his wife Nancy went to the star Dance studio for the celebrations.
Liu, 62, was released from hospital yesterday but his wife, 63, has still not been found by the family.
They are hoping that she has been rushed to hospital after the attack, but are ‘preparing for the worst’ after he saw her collapse when the gunman opened fire.
Mae Ikigai added that her mother was shot in her shoulder and waist, but is no longer in a critical condition.
She said: ‘She told us that she was five tables away from where the gunman was standing. She was dancing with her friends and dance instructor when she heard a noise that sounded like fireworks.
‘She turned around and saw a man holding a long gun firing indiscriminately. She quickly got down on the ground and felt her left shoulder and waist grazed by one of the bullets.’
Juno Blees said her father Jeff Liu was hospitalized with gunshot wounds after he and his wife Nancy went to the Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park to celebrate Lunar New Year and her mother is still missing
The family is still hoping she was taken to hospital without her ID card and they will be reunited
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