Monitoring Desk
ISLAMABAD/LOS ANGELES: Several people have been killed in a shooting in Los Angeles, California following Chinese New Year celebrations, Los Angeles Times reported citing law enforcement sources.
Police were responding to the incident that happened after 10 pm (4 pm AEST) around the timings of a Chinese Lunar New Year celebration held in Monterey Park, the daily reported.
It is not known yet if any suspects have been taken into custody.
Footage circulating on social media showed deserted and cordoned-off streets guarded by police cars.
Attacker had a machine gun: witness
An eyewitness who owns a restaurant across the street from where the shooting took place told the newspaper that three people ran into his restaurant and asked him to lock the door as there was a man outside with a machine gun.
Tens of thousands of people had participated the festival earlier in the day. The annual week-long event sees almost 100,000 visitors every year.
Saturday night’s festivities were held to end at 21:00 local time.
Home to a large Asian community, Monterey Park is a city with a population of around 60,000 people. It is located around 7 kilometres from downtown Los Angeles.
