On January 21, 2023, 62-year-old Hongying Jian, also known as Nancy Liu, was tragically killed in a mass shooting at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park, California. The incident occurred during a Lunar New Year celebration, where a gunman opened fire, resulting in the deaths of eleven individuals and injuries to nine others.
Hongying and her husband, Jeff Liu, were regular patrons of the Star Ballroom Dance Studio, often attending events together.
On the night of the shooting, they were present at the celebration when the attack unfolded. In the chaos, the couple was separated; Hongying was fatally shot, while Jeff sustained injuries and was transported to a hospital for treatment.
The perpetrator of this heinous act was identified as 72-year-old Huu Can Tran. After the shooting at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio, Tran attempted to continue his rampage at another dance studio in nearby Alhambra but was disarmed by individuals on the scene. He subsequently fled and was later found deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a vehicle in Torrance, California.
Hongying Jian was remembered by her community as an active and friendly individual who enjoyed dancing, playing volleyball, singing, and playing the piano. Originally from the Sichuan province in China, she had hoped to visit her mother but was unable to do so due to pandemic restrictions. Her untimely death was a significant loss to her family and the Monterey Park community.
The Monterey Park shooting was a devastating event that deeply affected the local community, especially during what was meant to be a joyous Lunar New Year celebration. The swift identification of the shooter provided some closure, but the senseless loss of lives, including that of Hongying Jian, left an indelible mark on all those connected to the victims.
