A man opened fire during a luncheon reception at a Southern California church on Sunday, killing one person and wounding several others before he was detained and tied up by worshipers in what a sheriff’s officer called an act of “heroism.” and exceptional bravery. he was fatally shot and four others were seriously injured by gunshots at the Geneva Presbyterian Church in the town of Laguna Woods, officials with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department said. A sixth person had minor injuries but was not hit by the bullets. The shooting suspect, an Asian man in his 60s, was in custody and officers recovered two handguns at the scene, Deputy Chief Jeff Hallock said. A motive for the shooting was not immediately known, but investigators don’t believe the shooter lives in the community, he said. spokesman. About 30 to 40 members of Irvine’s Taiwan Presbyterian Church were gathering for lunch after a morning church service in Geneva when gunfire erupted shortly before 1:30 p.m., authorities said. When officers arrived, parishioners had the gunman tied up and in custody. “That group of parishioners displayed what we believe to be exceptional heroism and bravery in stepping in to apprehend the suspect. They certainly prevented additional injuries and deaths,” Hallock said. “I think it’s safe to say that if people hadn’t stepped in, it could have been a lot worse.” All of the victims were Asian-American adults and the youngest of the victims is 66, Braun said. The investigation was in its early stages. Hallock said the many unanswered questions include whether the shooter attended the church service, whether church members knew him and how many shots were fired. of the Los Ranchos Presbytery, an administrative body of the church. “Please keep the leaders of the Taiwanese congregation and Geneva in your prayers as they care for those traumatized by this shooting,” Tom Cramer of the presbytery said in a statement on Facebook. Federal agents from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives responded. The FBI also sent agents to the scene to assist the sheriff. and later became a city. More than 80% of residents in the city of 18,000 about 50 miles (80 kilometers) southeast of Los Angeles are at least 65 years old. Gavin Newsom’s office said on Twitter that he was closely monitoring the situation. “No one should be afraid to go to their place of worship. Our thoughts are with the victims, the community, and everyone affected by this tragic event,” the tweet read. The incident occurred in an area with a cluster of places of worship, including Catholic, Lutheran and Methodist churches and a Jewish synagogue. On its website, the Geneva Presbyterian Church describes its mission as “remembering, telling and living the way of Jesus by being just, kind and humble.” inclusive congregation worshiping, learning, connecting, giving and serving together.” The shooting came a day after an 18-year-old man shot and killed 10 people at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York. less than a day after a mass shooting in Buffalo,” said US Representative Katie Porter, whose district includes Laguna Woods. “This should not be our new normal. I will work hard to support the victims and their families.”
A man opened fire during a luncheon reception at a Southern California church on Sunday, killing one person and wounding several others before he was detained and tied up by worshipers in what a sheriff’s officer called an act of ” exceptional heroism and bravery.”
One person was fatally shot and four others were seriously injured by gunshots at the Geneva Presbyterian Church in the town of Laguna Woods, officials with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department said. A sixth person was slightly injured but was not hit by the bullets.
The shooting suspect, an Asian man in his 60s, was in custody and officers recovered two handguns at the scene, Deputy Police Chief Jeff Hallock said. A motive for the shooting was not immediately known, but investigators do not believe the shooter lives in the community, he said.
Most of those inside the church at the time were believed to be of Taiwanese descent, said Carrie Braun, a sheriff’s spokeswoman.
About 30 to 40 members of Irvine’s Taiwan Presbyterian Church were gathering for lunch after a morning church service in Geneva when gunfire erupted shortly before 1:30 p.m., authorities said. When officers arrived, parishioners had the gunman tied up and in custody.
“That group of parishioners displayed what we believe to be exceptional heroism and bravery in stepping in to apprehend the suspect. They certainly prevented additional injuries and deaths,” Hallock said. “I think it’s safe to say that if people hadn’t stepped in, it could have been a lot worse.”
All of the victims were Asian-American adults and the youngest of the victims is 66, Braun said.
The investigation was in its early stages, Hallock said. He said the many unanswered questions include whether the gunman attended a church service, whether church members knew him and how many shots were fired.
The afternoon luncheon reception was in honor of a former pastor of the Taiwanese congregation, according to a statement from the Los Ranchos Presbytery, a church administrative body.
“Please keep the leaders of the Taiwanese and Geneva congregation in your prayers as they care for those traumatized by this shooting,” Tom Cramer of the presbytery said in a statement on Facebook.
Federal agents from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives responded. The FBI also sent agents to the scene to assist the sheriff.
Laguna Woods was built as a community for seniors and later became a city. More than 80% of residents in the city of 18,000 about 50 miles (80 kilometers) southeast of Los Angeles are at least 65 years old.
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said on Twitter that it was closely monitoring the situation.
“No one should be afraid to go to their place of worship. Our thoughts are with the victims, the community and everyone affected by this tragic event,” the tweet read.
The incident occurred in an area with a cluster of places of worship, including Catholic, Lutheran and Methodist churches and a Jewish synagogue.
On its website, the Presbyterian Church of Geneva describes its mission as “remembering, telling and living the way of Jesus by being just, kind and humble”.
“Everyone is welcome here. We really mean it! … Geneva aspires to be an inclusive congregation that worships, learns, connects, gives and serves together.”
The shooting came a day after an 18-year-old man shot and killed 10 people at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York.
“This is disturbing and concerning news, especially less than a day after a mass shooting in Buffalo,” said US Rep. Katie Porter, whose district includes Laguna Woods. “This should not be our new normal. I will work hard to support the victims and their families.”
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