Ma, the beloved dance instructor who is the “heart” of the Star Ballroom, was identified as one of the victims Sunday night by colleagues and friends.
Ma was a staple of the dance community and was “loved and respected” by those who were part of it, said Eric Chen, a friend of Ma’s. ABC7.
Chen said he was killed trying to stop the shooter.
Another instructor at the studio, Lauren Woods, wrote on Facebook: director The last time she spoke to a horse on Saturday. He helped her find her parking space on a busy street during her New Year celebrations.
Woods said she and Marr have a special way of communicating.
“His English wasn’t great, but he always said, ‘My teacher! My teacher! ‘ Always kiss my cheek and say ‘I love you!’ I love you! ‘ full of hugs and physically picking me up from time to time. “It’s always very affectionate when he does this,” she wrote.
Marr was “the heart of the Star Ballroom,” Woods added. He connected with many people who came through the dance studio.
“To those who were there, and many other dancers in our community, I am so happy that you met Ma and his beautiful soul and got to know him at least once before he passed away,” she said. wrote.
In a 2016 interview pasadena star news Regarding immigrants from China starting Latin dance in the studio, Ma said he wanted to provide a place for Asians to thrive in Monterey Park.
“Having a place where people from all over the world can come together and communicate through dance is something I can do,” Ma said.
Mai Nyan, 65
Nicknamed Maimee by her family, Nyan was a longtime Star Ballroom guest, often dancing on weekends.
“That’s what she loved,” her family said in a statement. “But, unjustly, Saturday was her last dance.”
According to reporter Tiffany Liu, whose husband is Nan’s nephew, Nan was the first person to be shot dead in the studio that night.
Nunn was shot in his car outside the Star Ballroom, Fox 11 journalist Gigi Glaciette report.
