The Monterey Park City Council this week released a statement denouncing the shootings of two Jewish men last week after they left services at synagogues in the city of Los Angeles’ Pico-Robertson.
The two were shot after leaving prayer services on Wednesday and Thursday mornings, respectively.
The suspect was apprehended and taken into custody in Riverside County. LAPD believe he is responsible for both shootings and confirmed the cases were being investigated as hate crimes.
Monterey Park itself is still recovering after a shooter took the lives of 11 people at Star Dance Studio, and attempted to do the same at Alhambra’s nearby Lai Lai Ballroom dance studio.
“These acts of senseless gun violence in recent months continue to claim lives of innocent people and have no place in our communities or in our country,” said Mayor Jose Sanchez in a statement. “The Monterey Park City Council stands united with the City of Los Angeles in denouncing anti-Semitism, hate crimes and gun violence. We send our thoughts to the victims, their families and the entire community affected by this heinous attack. We are committed to supporting communities that have experienced the pain of gun violence and share in your grief.”
Jamie Tran, 28, acknowledged intentionally shooting the two victims, according to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint and arrest warrant.
Tran allegedly told agents that he searched for a “kosher” market on the social media application Yelp. After locating a kosher market, Tran drove to the market and selected his victims because of their “head gear,” he said, according to the affidavit.
Mayor Karen Bass, other elected officials and Jewish leaders across Los Angeles County attended a town hall Monday night in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood that drew over 100 people to address anti-Semitic violence.
Bass said it was important as hateful messages spread via flyers and freeway banners that “we act aggressively and…
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