A US citizen with Filipino descent died in a Lunar New Year mass shooting incident in California, the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Los Angeles reported on Tuesday.
In a statement, the PCG identified the victim as 68-year-old Valentino Alvero, who was among the 11 people killed after a 72-year-old suspect opened fire in Monterey Park over the weekend.
Shocked and sad over the incident, the consulate said it is ready to assist the victim's family in whatever possible way.
"Our prayers go out to the families of the victims and we mourn with them during this lunar new year festival, which is supposed to be a time of gathering and celebration," PCG said.
It also called on the Filipino community in California to exercise caution and be vigilant during these uncertain times.
Meanwhile, the Alvero family issued a statement as it also expressed its sympathies with the other victims' families.
"Overnight, we became unwilling members of a community who has to mourn the loss of our loved ones due to gun violence. We are left frustrated, stuck with this vicious cycle," the family said.
It described Valentino as "a loving father, a dedicated son and brother, a grandfather who loved his three granddaughters fiercely, an uncle who loved his nieces and nephews like his own."
Valentino, according to his family, loved people and their stories. In return, he shared his own stories "with so much gusto and enthusiasm," it added.
"We wish could let him know that we will all miss him for the rest of our days on this earth. We hope that he danced to his heart's content until the very end and hope that he is now dancing in heaven," the Alvero family added.