Jim Goodman still speaks like the police officer he was when he remembers Jan. 21, 2023.
“All was well until 10:15 when a male Asian entered the location,” the retired San Gabriel police officer told a crowd of about 100 gathered Tuesday night to mark the second anniversary of the mass killing at Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park.
Goodman was shot in the left foot and back as he shielded his dance partner Hattie Peng.
“I am about 80% healed, I still have a few problems, and it took me 10 months before I danced again,” he said.
City officials, led by Mayor Vinh T. Ngo, who convened the vigil on the front lawn of City Hall said healing from the trauma of the mass shooting continues and won’t end until every last person who needs it is helped. They also espoused action and activism for gun violence prevention.
Councilmember Henry Lo called the tragedy “one of the darkest moments in the life of this community.” Since he lived 10 minutes from the ballroom, he said he will never forget the sound of helicopters hovering above searching for the shooter, as well as sirens from first responders roaming the city.
“While our recovery is a long process, I think Monterey Park has shown the world what we’re all about,” Lo said, commending residents for continuing to support each other. “What I’m often reminded of is during the the worst times, we see also the best of us.”
Lo said he is horrified that there have been more than 1,000 mass shootings since the massacre in Monterey Park.
“That’s something that should make us take pause and task our leaders to do better,” he said.
The Monterey Park City has spoken out against gun violence and sends messages of support to other towns and cities where mass shootings have occurred.
Councilman Jose Sanchez read the names of the 11 people killed at Star Ballroom: Xiujuan Yu, 57; Hongying Jian, 62; LiLan Li, 63; Wen-Tau Yu, 64; MyMy Nhan, 65; Muoi Dai Ung, 67; Valentino Marcos Alvero, 68; Diana Man Ling Tom, 70; Ming Wei…
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