The first victim of the mass shooting massacre has been identified as the ballroom studio owner who heroically ran towards the gunman.
Ming Wei Ma is one of 10 people killed in the horrific massacre at the Star Dance Studio in Monterey Park, California, on Saturday night.
Friends of the dance enthusiast have revealed that he was the first to lunge at gunman Huu Can Tran as he opened fire.
Dozens of people packed the studio on Saturday night to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
Police say they have not yet defined a motive for the fatal shooting, but sources say Tran may have been searching for his wife.
Friends of dance enthusiast Ming Wei Ma (left) have revealed that he was the first to lunge at gunman Huu Can Tran as he opened fire
My Nhan, 65, and Lilan Li, 63, have both been identified as two other victims of the gunman.
Three other women, two in their 60s and one in their 50s, and five men in their 60s and 70s were all identified as those killed.
Ma’s friend Eric Chen told CBS, “According to the chat, he was the first to attack the shooter. He was just caring, and others first, people first type of person.
“It’s heartbreaking and it’s unthinkable that it would happen.”
Instructor Lauren Woods added, “He was so adorable to me and I could tell he was the heart of Star Ballroom.
“So many dancers, teachers and organizers were associated with Ma and personally I will miss him very much.”
Authorities have not yet released the identities of the 10 victims killed in the attack.
Police were called to gunfire at the dance studio at 10:22 p.m. and arrived at the scene just minutes later to find ten dead inside the building.
Ming Wei Ma, right, is one of 10 people killed in the horrific massacre at the Star Dance Studio in Monterey Park, California, on Saturday night
Huu Can Tran, 72, shot dead ten people and injured ten others at a dance hall in California – before driving less than three miles to launch another attack
This image shows the interior of the nightclub where shots were fired, killing at least ten people
Two others were found seriously injured inside and another eight with injuries outside the ballroom.
Seven currently remain in the hospital being treated for their injuries and Tran then travels to another dance studio less than 2.7 miles away.
About 20 minutes after the initial shooting, he entered the Lai Lai ballroom at the Alhambra, with brave customers managing to disarm him.
Police say he planned to shoot at least two other people before his gun was taken from him
Local hospital staff said a man matching Trans’s description was then sighted in the emergency room with injuries apparently sustained in a fight.
He waited for a while but left without treatment, and staff recognized him from photos released by the sheriff’s department of the wanted shooter.
Those in the studio have been pronounced dead at the scene, the others have been hospitalized and seven are still receiving treatment
Police say they have not yet defined a motive for the fatal shooting, but sources say Tran may have been searching for his wife
Aerial footage shows officers pulling unknown items from the white van after the standoff
Tran was at large until Sunday afternoon when police stopped him in the van he was in to flee the scene.
After an hour-long hiatus, Tran died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside the vehicle, which was later searched by a SWAT team.
In a statement, Star Dance said: “Thank you for your prayers and thoughts at this difficult time.
“What should have been a night of celebration to welcome the first day of the lunar new year turned into a tragedy.
“Our hearts go out to all victims, survivors and their families. In this time of healing, we hope that all those affected have the space to grieve and process what has happened in the last 24 hours.
“In the meantime, all classes will be canceled and the studio will be closed until further notice.”
Authorities believe Tran acted alone and are not looking for anyone in connection with the mass shooting.
Tran was carrying a semi-automatic pistol with an extended magazine, and a second pistol was discovered in the van where he was found dead, officials said
Tran was pulled over by police shortly after being spotted in hospital for treatment. A SWAT team ambushed the van after a three-hour standoff
Other survivors have posted their horrific injuries after being shot by the gunman, with a daughter still searching for her mother after the attack.
Juno Blees said her father Jeff Liu was hospitalized with gunshot wounds after he and his wife Nancy went to the Star Dance Studio for the celebrations.
Liu, 62, was released from hospital yesterday but his wife, 63, has still not been found by the family.
They hope she was taken to hospital after the attack but are “preparing for the worst” after seeing her collapse as the gunman opened fire.
Mae Ikigai added that her mother was shot in the shoulder and waist but is no longer in critical condition.
She said: “She told us she was five tables away from where the shooter was standing. She was dancing with her friends and her dance teacher when she heard what sounded like fireworks.
“She turned and saw a man with a long gun firing indiscriminately. She quickly dropped to the ground and felt one of the bullets graze her left shoulder and waist.”
Juno Blees said her father Jeff Liu was hospitalized with gunshot wounds after he and his wife Nancy went to the Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park to celebrate the Lunar New Year and her mother is still missing
The family still hopes that she was taken to the hospital without her ID and they will be reunited