Mass shooting at Star Dance Studio in LA

This was really interesting taking to Monterey Park shooting survivors out to lunch after they did an interview with the Washington Post reporter. I feel like they felt a lot better after they told their story. In the video I'm talking about how they hadn't eaten for 2 days and I insisted they come out to lunch and eat with us. It's me, the Washington Post reporter and two of the survivors.
Taking two Monterey Park shooting survivors out to lunch
 
singndance said:
Dear DanceMentor, thank you for sharing these stories. I am praying that we can collectively find a way to address this violence within people that make them do these unspeakable acts.
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Yes, I think there's a feeling now that there's a short time window for people to be heard before the story is forgotten. I've been trying to talk to as many people as I can and going to the candlelight vigil tonight.

It's obvious the gun this man had was designed to kill a lot of people in a short amount of time. And our country has more mass shootings than any other country by a long shot. We can do better than this.
 
Here is a very touching video from someone who experienced the shooting. He is my friends. I was able to speak Chinese with him and his friend and get them to come in for the interview to tell about their experience. They had hardly eaten or slept for 2 days, but I feel like it was sort of a healing thing for them to come in and tell their story and then finally have some lunch with us.
 
DanceMentor said:
Here is a very touching video from someone who experienced the shooting. He is my friends. I was able to speak Chinese with him and his friend and get them to come in for the interview to tell about their experience. They had hardly eaten or slept for 2 days, but I feel like it was sort of a healing thing for them to come in and tell their story and then finally have some lunch with us.
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Thank you for sharing this - I think he was very courageous to go on air and relate his experience. What an awful trauma - my condolences to all who were there that evening and to the entire Star Ballroom family.
 
DanceMentor said:
Yes, I think there's a feeling now that there's a short time window for people to be heard before the story is forgotten. I've been trying to talk to as many people as I can and going to the candlelight vigil tonight.

It's obvious the gun this man had was designed to kill a lot of people in a short amount of time. And our country has more mass shootings than any other country by a long shot. We can do better than this.
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Hi. I am just checking in to see how your dance community is doing after your horrible event. Especially because for many of us, a dance studio is a "safe space", a home, and an oasis from regular life. I hope if people are having symptoms of PTSD, they are first, aware that this is normal and second, have a way to get some help and not suffer alone. My heart goes out to everyone affected. Feel free to message me, if you don't want to post here. Violence has ripple effects beyond the news cycle. Just wanted you to know you all are not forgotten.
 
The shooting is still in the news coverage here. Our city is having some Lunar New Year festivities this weekend. So there is increased security and some other adjustments in the plans as precautions, but also to honor the victims in California. This is definitely still on the minds of the local Asian American community, and it's also getting covered in the local news.

Thinking of you all, and wishing healing for all those affected.
 
dncergrl2 said:
Hi. I am just checking in to see how your dance community is doing after your horrible event. Especially because for many of us, a dance studio is a "safe space", a home, and an oasis from regular life. I hope if people are having symptoms of PTSD, they are first, aware that this is normal and second, have a way to get some help and not suffer alone. My heart goes out to everyone affected. Feel free to message me, if you don't want to post here. Violence has ripple effects beyond the news cycle. Just wanted you to know you all are not forgotten.
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Yes helping people that are in shock. Many did not speak Chinese and there's a small group that I helped to direct them to help and encourage them to go to the support center. They also came to my English and Chinese study group and plan to go every week from now on.

Right now it is very uncertain whether the studio will open again. Many students say they will never go there again or even never dance again, or at least never in a crowded place.

A big problem has been just getting in touch with the people who were there and are still affected but not getting help. I've definitely done a little to help in that regard.

There's one instructor named Kevin that I know was of limited resources and he always worried about routine medical bills. He was shot and had a bone shattered in his leg. I understand he's at USC medical center. One of his students was killed and another was injured. I keep asking a couple of contacts I have if they know anything about him but I haven't had any luck yet.
 
It's good you are doing what you can to help. I hadn't thought of how hard it might be to contact people that were affected in a mass scene like that. Those not physically injured that night likely went home and may be trying to cope on their own.

You might try calling the hospital about the instructor. They normally can only release very limited information unless you are someone's emergency contact. But they might be able to tell you if he is a patient there, and if he is taking visitors, for example. Just a thought, I'm not sure it will work.
 
raindance said:
It's good you are doing what you can to help. I hadn't thought of how hard it might be to contact people that were affected in a mass scene like that. Those not physically injured that night likely went home and may be trying to cope on their own.

You might try calling the hospital about the instructor. They normally can only release very limited information unless you are someone's emergency contact. But they might be able to tell you if he is a patient there, and if he is taking visitors, for example. Just a thought, I'm not sure it will work.
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Yes, that's a good idea. Perhaps I can call the hospital and see if he is there if he is taking visitors or if he is there could they get a message to him.
 
During this last week, I happened to be at an Argentine Tango Milonga in the greater Los Angeles area (driving distance from Star Dance Studio). The brief commemoration was very appropriate.
  • The event was very crowded, per the locals, and definitely way more crowded than the previous time I was there. Some of the locals speculated that was because of the Star Dance Studio event.
  • One of the attendees (I don't think he was the organizer and for sure was not the DJ) asked for a moment of silence for those lost.
  • He said it was Chinese tradition to mourn for 49 days.
  • He asked that after 49 days, we all go to the Star Dance Studio and show support.
  • He did not say this, these are my words: There is a good chance the Star Dance Studio will be closed. Showing support for the Lai Lai Ballroom in Alhambra, where the criminal was stopped, is also a good thought.
 
Tango Distance said:
During this last week, I happened to be at an Argentine Tango Milonga in the greater Los Angeles area (driving distance from Star Dance Studio). The brief commemoration was very appropriate.
  • The event was very crowded, per the locals, and definitely way more crowded than the previous time I was there. Some of the locals speculated that was because of the Star Dance Studio event.
  • One of the attendees (I don't think he was the organizer and for sure was not the DJ) asked for a moment of silence for those lost.
  • He said it was Chinese tradition to mourn for 49 days.
  • He asked that after 49 days, we all go to the Star Dance Studio and show support.
  • He did not say this, these are my words: There is a good chance the Star Dance Studio will be closed. Showing support for the Lai Lai Ballroom in Alhambra, where the criminal was stopped, is also a good thought.
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I might have been their. It was on a Wednesday that I went to the candlelight vigil. I have not heard any news yet about the plans for the studio. I understand Lailai is open, and I assume they will get a lot of the business that Star had before, but at the same time, in general attendance is down due to the incident. Most people I talk to are generally saying they plan to get back to dancing but just need some time to adjust. I personally feel it may be difficult to re-open a dance studio at that location, but humans never fail to amaze me, and their may be something really special in store in the future through people in the dance community and greater community working together
 
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