Monterey Park shooting: How to help the victims

How to help the victims of the Monterey Park shooting

Connie Chung Joe, CEO of Asian Americans Advancing Justice discusses how people can help the victims of the Lunar New Year massacre in Monterey Park and their families.

MONTEREY PARK, Calif. - Eleven people were killed in a mass shooting during a Lunar New Year celebration in Monterey Park on Saturday, Jan. 21. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna announced the suspected shooter, identified as 72-year-old Huu Can Tran, is dead.

The shooting happened around 10:30 p.m. at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio. In total, 10 people — five men and five women — were declared dead at the scene. The eleventh victim died at a local hospital from injuries the following day.

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While families grieve loved ones and others recover, GoFundMe has established a web page to help the victims of this attack. The crowdfunding platform has set up a page to help find verified fundraisers to help support the Monterey Park community and the victims.

"The GoFundMe community is coming together to support all those affected. Donate to verified Monterey Park Shooting fundraisers below to offer your help. Our Trust & Safety team will continue to update this page with more fundraisers as they are verified," the company wrote.

There are currently 12 verified GoFundMe fundraisers, according to the central hub. The main fundraiser, "Monterey Park Lunar New Year Victims Fund" has raised nearly $1 million and counting. Eight fundraisers are dedicated specifically to victims - Ming Wei Ma, Mymy Nhan, Xiujuan Yu and Diana Tom, Yu-Lun Kao, Valentino Alvero, Lilan Li and Muoi Ung.

Another fundraiser has been created for Jim Goodman, who was injured in the shooting. According to his daughter-in-law, Goodman was shot twice, and laid on top of his dance partner to protect them from the shooter. He is "recovering from substantial injuries and will require intensive care, and physical therapy" according to the GoFundMe campaign.

Other fundraisers include one on behalf of LA-based nonprofit "Classroom of Compassion" to create 11 public altars for the victims, and another from Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California, raising money for the community and the victims.

The GoFundMe page will be updated as it verifies more fundraisers. The page can be found by clicking here.

The City of Monterey Park is also offering counseling and services to any residents, community members and first responders affected by the tragedy. Services are available through Friday, February 10 at the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursday and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Counselors from the Department of Mental Health are also available at the Langley Senior Center located at 400 W. Emerson Avenue, through Friday, February 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Additional resources are available online.

If you're in distress due to recent incidents of mass violence, please know that there is help is available. Talk to experienced counselors at the Disaster Distress Helpline for 24/7 emotional support. Call or text 1-800-985-5990. Click here for additional resources.