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Shooting in California church kills at least one, wounds five
The shooting occurred at Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods, a town of 16,000 that consists of Laguna Woods Village, a retirement community for people 55 and older once known as Leisure World.
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Police tape blocks off the scene of a shooting at the Geneva Presbyterian Church on May 15, 2022 in Laguna Woods, California. According to police, the shooting left one person dead, four critically wounded, and one with minor injuries. (AFP/Mario Tama)
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unfire erupted at a Southern California church early on Sunday afternoon, killing at least one person and wounding five, and a suspect was taken into custody, authorities said.
The shooting occurred at Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods, a town of 16,000 that consists of Laguna Woods Village, a retirement community for people 55 and older once known as Leisure World.
All of the victims were adults and were being taken to the hospital, the Orange County Sheriff's Department said in a Twitter message. One victim died at the scene.
Parishioners were attending a banquet following a morning church service when the gunman began his rampage, authorities said.
The churchgoers subsequently detained the shooter and "hogtied his legs with an extension cord and confiscated at least two weapons" before officers arrived at the scene to apprehend him, Orange County Undersheriff Jeff Hallock told a press conference.
"That group of churchgoers displayed what we believe is exceptional heroism, and bravery," Hallock said. "They undoubtedly prevented additional injuries and fatalities."
Investigators were still searching for a motive, he said, adding that the alleged gunman, who was not injured during the incident, was believed to be an Asian adult male in his 60s.
The victims were mostly Asian and mostly of Taiwanese descent, the Los Angeles Times reported, citing authorities.
"One person is confirmed deceased at the scene," Hallock said. "Four others are critical and one other victim sustained minor injuries." All were adults.
Law enforcement said an emergency call had come from Geneva Presbyterian Church at 1:26 pm (20:26 GMT) Sunday afternoon.
Officials said they were still sorting through the timeline and details with the approximately 30 to 40 witnesses who were inside the building.
They were additionally waiting for help from a translator in interviewing members of the congregation and the alleged assailant, Hallock told reporters.
It was at least the second mass shooting of the weekend in the United States, which has been plagued with gun violence in recent years. In Buffalo, New York, on Saturday, a white 18-year-old man opened fire at a supermarket in a mostly Black neighborhood, killing 10 and wounding three in what authorities described as a purely racist attack.
Authorities in California have not made any statement regarding a possible motive in the church shooting.
