CLEVELAND — Lunar New Year is supposed to be a joyous time, but this year, it's filled with grief and sadness as Asian communities across the nation — including here in Ohio — mourn the lives lost in the Monterey Park, Calif. shooting on Saturday.

What You Need To Know

  • At least 11 people are dead after a mass shooting over the weekend in the Los Angeles area

  • Police said a gunman opened fire after a Lunar New Year celebration at a dance studio

  • Lunar New Year marks the arrival of spring and is celebrated in many Asian cultures

  • Ohio Gov. Mike Dewine has ordered flags be flown at half-staff across the state in memory of the shooting victims

At least 11 people are dead and several others injured after a gunman opened fire at a dance studio outside Los Angeles on Saturday night during a Lunar New Year celebration, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Lunar New Year marks the arrival of spring and is celebrated in many Asian cultures.

“I couldn’t believe it,” said Deepak Sarma, an Asian Studies professor at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. “It was just terrifying.”

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the suspect in this deadly shooting has been identified as Huu Can Tran, 72.

“I thought here we go again,” said Sarma, on his initial reaction to the shooting, only to find out the suspect is Asian. “This made things even more complicated than before.”

The sheriff’s department said the suspect shot and killed himself during a standoff with law enforcement and that investigators are still searching for a motive.

Sarma, meanwhile, said he’s still trying to wrap his brain around what happened, and how Americans can come together to reduce the number of mass shootings.

“Of course, we have thoughts and prayers going out. But thoughts and prayers don’t bring people back alive,” he said.