Tracy Koerner, Deputy Sheriff at the LA County Sheriff’s Department, confirmed to Express.co.uk nine people have died and the male shooter is not in custody.
He said: “Homicide detectives are on scene. They are doing a walkthrough now, gathering information, reviewing CCTV footage, interviewing witnesses.
“The Sheriff is scheduled to have a press conference at approximately 7am.
“It is a male shooter.”
Earlier reports indicated the shooting took place in a nightclub, however Deputy Sheriff Koerner said the scene it isn’t a designated nightclub but is “something similar”.
Video on social media shows the wounded being stretchered away as police lock down the area.
The shooting occurred in Garvey Avenue at around 10pm local time (6am GMT) after thousands gathered for the start of the two-day festival.
Seung Won Choi, the owner of a local seafood restaurant, told the LA Times three people sought cover in his business, telling him to lock the door.
They told him the shooter was using a machine gun.
Andrew Chou, mayor of neighbouring city Diamond Bar, wrote on Twitter: “Our prayers are with our friends and colleagues in the great city of Monterey Park.
“We stand ready to lend our support during this difficult time as we wait for more confirmed details of an alleged mass shooting incident.”
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