Special Mass for Monterey Park Victims Set for Tonight

MONTEREY PARK (CNS) - Events honoring the victims of last weekend's Monterey Park shooting will continue tonight as St. Stephen Martyr Catholic Church will have a special Mass to honor the 11 people killed and the nine survivors.

Pope Francis sent a message of condolence sent this week and it will be read during the Mass, which will ``unite the community of faith in Monterey Park to offer prayers for those impacted by the tragic event,'' according to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

The 6 p.m. Mass follows vigils at Monterey Park City Hall on Monday and Tuesday nights and at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio -- site of the tragedy -- on Wednesday night.

Meanwhile, the motive for what prompted the fatal shooting remains a mystery, with Sheriff Robert Luna saying there is no known connection between the gunman and any of the victims -- seeming to dispel suggestions that jealousy or a personal beef led to the rampage.

Luna asked anyone with information about the shooting or the suspect to call investigators at (323) 890-5500.

The coroner's office on Tuesday identified the victims as:
-- My Nhan, 65;
-- Lilian Li, 63;
-- Xiujuan Yu, 57;
-- Muoi Ung, 67;
-- Hong Jian, 62;
-- Yu Kao, 72;
-- Chia Yau, 76;
-- Valentino Alvero, 68;
-- Wen Yu, 64;
-- Ming Ma, 72; and
-- Diana Tom, 70.

The rampage was the deadliest shooting in Los Angeles County history and the deadliest in the United States since the massacre in Uvalde, Texas in May that left 22 dead, including the perpetrator.

-- City News Service