Desk Report
Publish: 16 May 2022, 10:19 am
Investigators were looking at many factors, including whether the bloodshed could be a hate crime and whether the gunman was known to the church community || Photo: Reuters
A gunman has opened fire in a southern California church, killing
one person and wounding five others before churchgoers detained the suspect and
hog-tied him in what officials called an act of “exceptional heroism”.
The shooting was reported shortly before 1:30 pm on Sunday (20:30
GMT) at the Geneva Presbyterian Church located in the town of Laguna Woods,
about 80 kilometers (50 miles) southeast of Los Angeles, the Orange County
Sheriff’s Department said on Twitter.
A man died at the scene and four others were critically wounded,
while a fifth injured person suffered minor injuries, officials said.
All the victims were adults.
Jeff Hallock, the Undersheriff for Orange Country, said when
deputies arrived the parishioners had the suspected gunman hog-tied.
The suspect, an unidentified man in his 60s, is now in police
custody.
“That group of churchgoers displayed … exceptional heroism and
bravery in intervening to stop the suspect. They undoubtedly prevented
additional injuries and fatalities,” said Hollack.
About 30 to 40 people were in the church when the shooting
occurred, Hallock said, and two handguns were found at the scene.
“At this time, we do not know what the suspect’s motive may be or
whether he had an intended target, or whether this is even a hate-related
incident,” Hallock said, adding that authorities believe the suspect does not
live in the area.
He said the many unanswered questions include whether the assailant attended the church service if he was known to church members and how many shots were fired._AlJazeera
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