Karla Pleitéz Howell | First 5 LA Executive Director

January 23, 2023 

This past weekend should have been a festive Lunar New Year celebration in Monterey Park, bringing together families and communities, but instead a joyous gathering was marred by yet another senseless mass shooting.  

My heart goes out to the victim’s families, and all impacted by the tragic violence in the San Gabriel Valley.  

Creating safe and inclusive spaces in L.A. County for all young children to thrive is at the heart of our work at First 5 LA. Let this be the continued motivation for us all to do the important work we have before us to help prevent another tragedy.  

We mourn for the families who lost loved ones in Monterey Park and grieve for all who have experienced loss and who continue to be impacted by gun violence in our country.  




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