Multiple casualties reported in Los Angeles area shooting

By Jonathan Allen

Police patrol the scene along Garvey Avenue in Monterey Park, California, where police are responding to reports of multiple people shot. Photo: Frederic J. BROWN / AFP

Ten people were killed in a mass shooting at a ballroom dance venue in Monterey Park, California, late on Saturday, as residents in the predominantly Asian American city were celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year, police say.

The suspected gunman fled the scene, and police were still trying to find him, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said early on Sunday morning, about five hours after the attack.

There was no information yet about a motive for the attack, the department added.

Another 10 people were taken to local hospitals to be treated for injuries, and at least one was in critical condition.

Police stand guard at the scene along Garvey Avenue in Monterey Park, California, after responding to reports of multiple people shot. Photo: Frederic J. BROWN / AFP

The shooting took place after 10pm local time (7pm NZT) around the location of a Chinese Lunar New Year celebration held in Monterey Park, US media reported. About two thirds of residents of Monterey Park a city around 11 kilometres from downtown Los Angeles, are Asian American.

Footage posted on social media showed injured people on stretchers being taken to ambulances by emergency staff. Around the scene of the shooting police guarded cordoned-off streets, the video showed.

A police cordon at the scene of the mass shooting in Monterey Park, California. Photo: Frederic J. BROWN / AFP

"Our hearts go out to those who lost loved ones tonight in our neighboring city, Monterey Park, where a mass shooting just occurred," Los Angeles City Controller Kenneth Mejia said in a tweet.

Tens of thousands of people had attended the festival earlier in the day.

- Reuters