According to a sheriff’s spokesman, a man who started firing during a luncheon at a Southern California church on Sunday was apprehended by attendees, who were praised for their “extraordinary heroism and bravery.”
According to Orange County Sheriff’s Department officials, 1 individual was killed and 4 others were critically injured at Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods.
Undersheriff Jeff Hallock said the suspect in the incident, an Asian man in his 60s, was in arrest and deputies seized two handguns at the location. The motivation for the shooting was not immediately clear, but investigators suspect the gunman does not live in the area, according to Hallock.
According to Carrie Braun, a sheriff’s spokesperson, the majority of persons inside the church at the time were of Taiwanese origin.
According to officials, about 30 and 40 individuals were assembled for lunch after a morning church session when gunfire erupted shortly before 1:30 p.m. Church members had the shooter hog-tied and in custody when police arrived.
A man died at the scene, and a fifth person suffered minor injuries, according to officials. The victims were all adults.
Hallock stated that the investigation was in its initial stages. He stated that many things remain unanswered, including if the shooter attended the worship service, if he was familiar to church members, and also how many shots were fired.
The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives were deployed. Agents from the FBI were also dispatched to the area to help the sheriff.
