On the evening of Wednesday January 25, 2023, Sheriff Robert Luna held a press conference to share the latest information related to the shooting that occurred in the city of Monterey Park on Saturday, January 21, 2023.
A total of three firearms registered to the suspect were recovered by detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) Homicide Bureau. The murder weapon recovered at the Alhambra scene was identified as a Cobray model CM11-9 (also known as Mac-10). The weapon was not registered in the state of California and was purchased by the suspect on February 9, 1999, in the city of Monterey Park. The weapon used by the suspect to commit suicide inside the white van was identified as a Norinco 7.62 X 25mm pistol. The rifle recovered from the suspect’s residence in Hemet is a Savage Arms .308 caliber bolt action rifle.
Earlier today, Monterey Park police officers recovered a motorcycle in the 200 block of South Garfield Avenue in Monterey Park, one block from the crime scene. Investigators determined the motorcycle was parked at that location sometime on Saturday, just prior to the mass murder. Investigators believe it was placed there by the suspect as an alternate getaway vehicle. The motorcycle is registered to the suspect.
As of today, based on interviews, investigators have not been able to establish a connection between the suspect and any of the victims. The suspect was not married and was not romantically tied to any of the victims. According to witness accounts, the suspect has not frequented the location in the last five years.
The suspect’s criminal history indicates that he was arrested back in 1990 for unlawful possession of a firearm.
“If people believe they have information that can help us with a motive in this case, please make sure you contact investigators of our Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. A lot of rumors out there, a lot of people sharing stories, but again, we will only put out there information that we have verified through facts and evidence,” concluded Sheriff Luna.
Information about this case can also be provided anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org/.
Prepared by:
Sheriff’s Information Bureau
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Los Angeles, CA 90012
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