Local Asian Community reeling over Monterey Park mass shooting

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. – The Lunar New Year kicked off Sunday, but it's been marred by the shooting in Monterey Park.
   
While this is typically a time of celebration, many in the Asian American Pacific Islander community are now reeling over this tragic mass shooting. 
 
“The first reaction is very shocked,” said UCSB Student Aijia Wang.
 
We spoke with members of the AAPI Community in Santa Barbara County.

They say what started as shock has now transformed into deep sadness. 

“I just heard the story like a few minutes ago. I guess I couldn't believe it. I went on Google and search was like, oh my goodness, it's this my first time reading this story. So I was shocked and sad,” said Manager of Szechuan Restaurant Anna Kuo.
 
Many people we spoke with equated this to a Christmas massacre, explaining that the Lunar New Year is the most important holiday for their cultural community. 

“So many people died there, almost like the largest this year,” said another student.
 
On Monday the UCSB Multicultural Center offered a community processing space for those mourning the tragedy. 

The university's website says this is the first of many of these events.
  
The university is urging students and staff to prioritize their mental wellness and to get support processing this tragedy. 

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