Laguna Woods, Calif. — Police say worshipers have detained the gunman who shot multiple people Sunday at a California church, calling his intervention an act of “exceptional bravery and heroism.”
Police say the suspect in the shooting is an Asian man in his 60s who investigators do not believe lives in the community.
The shooting occurred during a luncheon banquet after a morning service at the church.
Police say that when they arrived at the scene, congregants had the man tied up and in custody.
“I think it’s safe to say that if people hadn’t stepped in, it could have been a lot worse,” says Orange County Deputy Police Chief Jeff Hallock.
“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,” says Hallock.
Investigators were interviewing 30 to 40 witnesses.
THIS IS A LAST MINUTE UPDATE. The previous AP story follows below.
One person was killed and four others seriously injured in a shooting Sunday afternoon at a Presbyterian church in a suburban Southern California community where most residents are elderly, authorities said. A suspect was in custody.
The shooting was reported shortly before 1:30 p.m. at the Geneva Presbyterian Church in the town of Laguna Woods, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department said on Twitter.
One man died at the scene and a fifth injured person suffered minor injuries, authorities said. All the victims were adults.
Agents took one suspect, an adult male, into custody and recovered a weapon, authorities said.
About 30 people witnessed the violence, said Carrie Braun, a sheriff’s spokeswoman. Most of those inside the church are believed to be of Taiwanese descent, Braun said.
Investigators were looking at many factors, including whether the bloodshed could be a hate crime and whether the attacker was known to the church community, Braun said.
The shots erupted during a luncheon reception honoring a former pastor of a Taiwanese congregation that has services in Geneva, 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.
More details were expected from a sheriff’s department news conference scheduled for 5 p.m.
Federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were responding to the scene. 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.”
Weber reported from Los Angeles, along with Associated Press reporter Stefanie Dazio.
Reference-www.detroitnews.com