Nearly a year after a mass shooting that shocked Monterey Park, the community came together for a dance lesson in honor of the 11 victims who tragically lost their lives. The event, titled the Community Remembrance Fair, took place at the Lai Lai Ballroom in Alhambra and featured dance lessons, guest speakers, and a health service fair. The man who heroically disarmed the shooter, Brandon Tsay, organized the weekend remembrance.
Tsay shared that the ballroom holds significant personal value to him, as his grandmother worked tirelessly to open it. Despite grappling with the idea of shutting down the ballroom after the tragedy, Tsay ultimately chose to keep it open after receiving an outpouring of support from the public. He emphasized the importance of not letting the shooter achieve his intended goal of causing fear and closure in the community.
In addition to keeping the dance studio open, Tsay has initiated the Brandon Tsay Hero Fund in partnership with the Asian Pacific Unity Fund, aiming to provide mental health resources and support for the community. The mass shooting took place at the Star Dance Studio in Monterey Park during a Lunar New Year celebration, before the gunman then drove to the Lai Lai Ballroom in Alhambra, where Tsay disarmed him.
The dance lesson and community remembrance event served as a testament to the resilience and determination of the Monterey Park community in the face of tragedy. The event also honored the first responders who bravely took action during the mass shooting. As the community continues to heal from the heartbreak, initiatives like the Brandon Tsay Hero Fund offer vital support for the victims and the broader community affected by the tragic events of that day.