One dead, 4 hurt in Calif. shooting
Church incident day after 10 were killed in NY
Laguna Woods, May 16: One person was dead and four others in critical condition after a shooting at a church near Los Angeles, law enforcement said on Sunday, just one day after a gunman killed 10 people at a grocery store in New York state.
Shortly before 1.30 pm (2030 GMT), parishioners were attending a banquet following a morning service at Geneva Presbyterian Church when the gunman began his rampage, authorities said.
There were 30 to 40 people inside the building in Laguna Woods, about 45 miles (70 kilometres) southeast of Los Angeles.
The churchgoers 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 and arrest 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.” “One person is confirmed deceased at the scene,” Hallock said.
“Four others are critical and one other victim sustained minor injuries.” The victims were all of Taiwanese descent, Taipei’s foreign ministry said, adding that it had “asked our
representative office to express our most sincere and deepest condolences to those killed or injured in the shooting and their families.”
According to the sheriff's department, the victims were aged between 66 and 92.
Investigators were still searching for a motive, Hallock said, adding that the alleged gunman, who was not injured during the incident, was believed to be an Asian male in his 60s. —