CNN "CNN Newsroom" - TRANSCRIPT SWAT Standoff Underway Believed to Related to Mass Shooting in Monterey Park; California Manhunt Underway; Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) Interview. Aired 4-5p ET

Interview

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ACOSTA: And what in the world happened there has happened in way too many communities here in the United States. Natasha Chen, thank you very much for the latest there. We'll come back to you. If you have any new developments, please don't hesitate to let us now.

I want to go now to Democratic Congresswoman Judy Chu. She joins me now. She represents the district where the shooting took place.

Congresswoman, our deepest condolences to you and your community. I just can't imagine the heartache that people are experiencing right now in Monterey Park, especially during what is supposed to be a joyous weekend. A weekend of celebration for people in that community. How is everybody handling this? It can't be easy.

REP. JUDY CHU (D), CALIFORNIA: People are still stunned and shocked by hearing about the deaths of 10 people and the injuries to 10 more. As you said, this was supposed to be the most joyous time. People were really looking forward to these lunar new year festivals, after being cooped up for three years due to COVID.

And this was the return of this festival, only hours earlier. And one block away, we actually have the grand opening of the lunar new year festival. I was there, along with many other elected officials. And there were thousands that were surrounding us and walking this street. So, to have this happen at this time is just so horrific and heartbreaking.

ACOSTA: And what is your reaction to the scene, that we've been witnessing over the last hour or so, hour and a half, where L.A. County sheriff's officers appear to have neutralized this white van or they have neutralized this white cargo van in Torrance, California, which I guess is about -- we're told about 30 miles away from where you are. And, perhaps, we don't know 100 percent for sure just yet, may have, I guess, come upon the suspect and that person may not be dead. We don't know that for sure.

But they appear to be moving in the direction of resolving this situation, at least from getting to a suspect at this point. What's your reaction to all of this and what do you know? If you have more information, please share it with us.

CHU: Well, I certainly hope that this is, indeed, the shooter. It appears that the person inside of the white cargo van is dead. And, certainly, we heard from the people at the last dance studio that he drove away in this white cargo van.

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CHU: So, all of the points about what we've seen seem to add this being the shooter. That would provide so much relief to our community. I'll tell you that. Because there was so much fear and anxiety about an active shooter being out in our community, especially during this time when people usually are out and about for lunar new year.

So, people were very fearful about such fundamental things as sending their kids to school or just going to a business. And if, indeed, this is that person, the suspect, then I think at least those fears will be allayed.

ACOSTA: And, Congresswoman, this is happened so many times. We cover them often on the weekends here at CNN, because they happen so often on the weekends. Another mass shooting in this country. Another community shattered by this kind of mass gun violence in the United States.

What is your response to that? What are your thoughts, in terms of what needs to be done so we don't keep having this happen over and over again? It just -- it's an epidemic that appears to have no end in sight.

CHU: Well, I have been concerned about this since these mass shootings started with Sandy Hook and the Pulse Nightclub. I joined the gun safety caucus in Congress. And we have been pushing legislation that I know will make this country safer. We do have universal background checks.

But there are loopholes. And those loopholes are that you don't have to have the background check if you buy your gun at a gun show or through a personal sale or online. So, those loopholes have to be closed because we do know that universal background checks, indeed, has saved lives. That is a very, very common-sense way to decrease the access to guns to those who should not have it.

ACOSTA: All right. Congresswoman Judy Chu, thank you so much for being with us. We appreciate it. Our hearts go out to your community right now. We know people are hurting there. And let's hope that we get some answers here in the coming hours. Thanks so much for being with us. We appreciate it.

CHU: Thank you.

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