Shootings in Los Angeles: Police announced nine dead – Unknown if the perpetrator has been identified

Nine people were killed during the shootings that occurred in Monterey Park, Californiaas announced by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office.

“Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office homicide detectives have been dispatched to assist the Monterey Park Police Department in a shooting death investigation. There are nine dead,” reads a brief statement issued by the Sheriff’s Office.

“At this time there is no other information available,” it added.

According to the same img, the attacker is a man, but it is not clear if he is still on the run.

The shooting occurred after 10 p.m. on Saturday (local time, 08:00 today Greek time) around an area in Monterey Park where a Chinese New Year celebration was being held, US media reported.

Images posted on social media show injured people on stretchers being transferred by stretchers to ambulances. Around the scene of the shooting – said to be a dance club – police are guarding streets they have blocked off, as seen in the videos.

“Our hearts go out to those who lost loved ones tonight in our neighboring city, Monterey Park, to crowd shooting.”Los Angeles City Official Kenneth Mejia said in a message on Twitter.

Tens of thousands of people had earlier attended Chinese New Year celebrations.

The owner of a nearby restaurant told the Los Angeles Times that people who sought shelter in his restaurant said there was a man in the area carrying a machine gun.

Seung Won Choi told the newspaper that he believed the shootings took place at a dance club.

Monterey Park is a city in Los Angeles County approximately 7 miles from downtown Los Angeles.