Members of Cosumnes River College shared their emotions on the Monterey Park, California shooting that occurred on Jan. 21.
A gunman arrived at a dance studio in Monterey Park and shot 11 people who were celebrating Lunar New Year, according to a press release by Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna. Los Rios Community College District Chancellor Brian King released a statement about the shooting via email.
“We all hope that one day this cycle of unfathomable violence and anguish will end,” King said in the statement. “Until then, we will continue to support each other however we can, and wrap our arms around those in our community who are in pain.”
Raul Pasamonte, the director of the Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi Americans Holistic Achievement With Knowledge and Service (APIDA HAWKS), said he recognized the anguish and concern that many students have felt when they heard about the event.
“My heart is heavy because it is traumatizing,” Pasamonte said. “It’s trauma on top of trauma on top of trauma.”
Pasamonte said he wanted to make it clear that violent attacks have not just been on the Asian American community.
“While this is happening to our Asian American community, you also have a lot of Black, Indigenous and people of color who have also had a lot of challenges that have happened,” Pasamonte said. “We all felt that while we feel our tragedy now and it’s felt by all the communities who have been victims of gun violence and toxic masculinity.”
Pasamonte said APIDA HAWKS, as well as the Center of Inclusion and Belonging, is open to anyone who is distraught over this event or any other event.
“We are here,” Pasamonte said. “Utilize our resources and come into our space, even if you don’t need to talk about it, but just don’t want to be alone, we’ll be here.”
APIDA HAWKS is located on the first floor of the library building in the Center of Inclusion and Belonging area.
Alfred Camacho, a 21-year-old computer science major, recognized the “cycle of unfathomable violence” that King mentioned.
“Now at this point, I’m kind of sadly desensitized to it,” Camacho said. “It’s just another one and it just keeps on happening and I feel like there’s not much I can do about it.”
Eighteen-year-old psychology major Breanna Lee said she believed the shooting could impact future Asian American events and celebrations.
“I feel like a lot of people that are a part of the Asian Pacific Islander community might be fearful when it comes to future events, which is unfortunate,” Lee said.