Deliver Us from Violence
/We are still reeling from the double shock of two consecutive mass shootings in California -- in Monterey Park (11 dead, 10 wounded) on January 21 and Half Moon Bay (7 dead) on January 23. What sets these two rampages apart from the 37 other mass shootings in the US since the start of 2023 is that the perpetrators were both elderly Asian men (72- and 67 years old). It was not the increasingly common "anti-Asian hate" that made these men killers, even if most of the victims were Asian.
In Monterey Park, all the victims were Asian and seniors who were having fun ballroom dancing in what was supposed to be a safe dance studio. One of them was Filipino American Valentino Alvero, 68, identified as a hospitality worker who was planning to retire soon and return to the Philippines.
In Half Moon Bay, the victims were Asians and Latinos, farm workers presumably younger than the 67-year-old shooter who has a history of violence, according to a former coworker.
What made these two men snap? No one will know for sure with the Monterey Park shooter; he was found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound a few hours after his rampage. Perhaps the Half Moon Bay perpetrator will talk; he has been taken into custody after surrendering (he parked his van in the parking lot of the Sheriff's office while waiting to be arrested).
It's certain though that both had mental health issues that could have been treated, but for its stigmatization among Asians especially of a certain age. Both shouldn't have had access to guns, particularly assault weapons, if only common-sense gun laws -- long advocated by a majority of Americans -- have been passed and implemented.
As we convey our sincerest sympathies to the families of the victims, we also continue to join the loud call for better violence prevention, more accessible mental health information and services for those who need it, and an end to the practically uncontrolled proliferation of deadly firearms. As the last few days have shown, there is no age limit to mental and psychological challenges.
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