UPDATE: One Dead, 4 Others Critically Wounded in California Church Shooting
Police in California say that four people have been critically wounded, and one person is dead after a shooting at a Laguna Woods church on Sunday afternoon, media outlets are reporting.
The Orange County Sheriff’s office said that the suspect was detained at the scene at Geneva Presbyterian Church at the 24000 block of El Toro Road.
The sheriff’s office said it received a call of a shooting inside the church at 1:26 p.m. PT.
Officials described the suspect as an Asian male in his 60s, but did not give any details on a possible motive.
Orange County Undersheriff Jeff Hallock said during a press conference that churchgoers displayed “exceptional heroism and bravery” during the incident, and without their quick actions, there could have been more casualties. Hallock added that the churchgoers detained the gunman by using an extension cord to hogtie him and confiscate the weapons.
He also said there were 30 to 40 people inside the church during the incident.
Hallock said that two handguns were recovered from the scene.
The Orange County Fire Authority said in a Sunday afternoon tweet that multiple people are being treated and transported to nearby hospitals.
Federal agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were also at the scene of the incident.
A spokesperson for the Orange County Sheriff said that a large number of people inside the church at the time of the shooting were Taiwanese.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office tweeted that it is monitoring the incident, adding that “No one should have to fear going to their place of worship.” {eoa}
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