1 killed, 5 injured in Orange County church shooting
One person was killed and five others were wounded Sunday after a gunman opened fire on a Taiwanese church congregation in Southern California.
The shooting occurred at 1:26 p.m. inside Geneva Presbyterian Church on the 24000 block of El Toro Road in Laguna Woods (Orange County). Authorities said the shooting occurred during a lunch banquet after a morning church service, and that a group of churchgoers “hog-tied” the shooter’s leg with an extension cord and took two weapons from the suspect.
The Sheriff ’s Department said it detained the suspect and recovered two commercially available handguns from the scene. Of the five who were wounded, four sustained critical injuries, officials said.
“That group of churchgoers displayed what we believe is exceptional heroism and bravery,” Undersheriff Jeff Hallock said, later adding, “It’s safe to say that had they not intervened this situation could have been much worse.”
Authorities are interviewing more than 30 people who were inside the church at the time. The victims were described as mostly Asian and mostly of Taiwanese descent, authorities said. The oldest victim was 92.
A law enforcement source said officials believe the suspect is a 68-year-old man who is originally from Las Vegas. Officials said he is probably not from the area. No other details were available