ANOTHER CALIF. MASSACRE
7 dead in northern city ‘Gunman,’ 67, arrested After 72-yr.-old kills 11
Seven people were killed when a “disgruntled worker” opened fire at a farm and another business in the Northern California city of Half Moon Bay on Monday, authorities said.
The horrific gun violence at Mountain Mushroom Farm and Rice Trucking-Soil Farm in the coastal city came two days after the Golden State was rocked by a mass shooting that left 11 dead at a ballroom in Monterey Park outside Los Angeles.
A suspect, identified as 67-year-old Chunli Zhao, was arrested in connection with Monday’s shootings, San Mateo County Board of Supervisors President Dave Pine said.
The accused shooter drove himself to a sheriff’s substation and surrendered to law enforcement, CBS Bay Area reported, citing sources. A man wearing a white baseball cap was seen being led away in handcuffs, the news station reported.
Pine said four people were gunned down at the farm and three others were killed at the trucking business on the outskirts of the city.
It was unclear how the two locations are tied to each other, but Pine said the suspect worked for one of the businesses. He also called the suspect a “disgruntled worker.”
Back-to-back horrors
The deadly rampage came as California was still reeling from Saturday’s mass shooting, carried out by 72year-old Huu Can Tran, who later committed suicide amid a police hunt.
“We are sickened by today’s tragedy in Half Moon Bay. The scourge of gun violence has sadly hit home. We have not even had time to grieve for those lost in the terrible shooting in Monterey Park,” Pine said.
“Gun violence must stop. The State of California has among the strictest gun laws in the United States, which we have strengthened through local action here, but more must be done. The status quo cannot be tolerated.”
Monterey Bay suspect Tran, meanwhile, was allegedly armed with a 9mm semi-automatic Mac-10 assault weapon when he stormed into Star Ballroom Dance Studio and sprayed bullets into the crowded hall at a Lunar New Year celebration.
Law-enforcement officials were mum on Monday about a possible motive, saying they are continuing to investigate leads.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom was comforting victims of the Monterey shooting when he received news of the Half Moon Bay tragedy.
“At the hospital meeting with victims of a mass shooting when I get pulled away to be briefed about another shooting,” Newsom said.
“This time in Half Moon Bay. Tragedy upon tragedy.”