Child among 4 people killed in shooting at California office

LOS ANGELES — A child was among four people killed Wednesday in a shooting at a Southern California office building that left a fifth victim wounded and the gunman critically injured, police said.

The violence in the city of Orange southeast of Los Angeles was the third U.S. mass shooting in just over two weeks.

When police arrived at the two-story building at about 5:30 p.m., shots were being fired, Orange Police Lt. Jennifer Amat said. Officers opened fire and the suspect was taken to a hospital,

Amat said.

It was unclear whether the suspect suffered a self-inflicted wound or was shot by police. Police provided no details about the victims other than to say one was a child and a that woman was critically wounded.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom in a tweet called the killings “horrifying and heartbreaking.”

“Our hearts are with the families impacted by this terrible tragedy tonight,” he said.

Amat had no information about what may have prompted the attack. She said the shooting happened on both levels of the building.

Signs outside indicated a handful of businesses are located there — including an insurance office, a financial consulting firm, a legal services business and a phone repair store.

People gathered outside the building after the shooting hoping to get word about loved ones. Paul Tovar told KTLA-TV that his brother owns a business in the building, Unified Homes, a mobile home broker.

“He’s not answering his phone, neither’s my niece,” Tovar said. “I’m pretty scared and worried ... right now I’m just praying really hard.”