At least one person is dead and 4 are critically injured after a shooting in a Laguna
Woods church on Sunday.
The shooter opened fire Sunday afternoon at the Geneva Presbyrerian Church in
Laguna Woods. At the time, members of the church were hosting a Taiwanese
congregation.
Authorities said the victims injured in the shooting included four Asian men, ages 66, 75,
82 and 92, and one Asian woman age 86.
Orange County’s undersheriff Jeff Hallock told reporters that a group of congregants
inside the church prevented further havoc when they pinned the gunman to the ground
and hogtied his legs with an extension cord.
“That group of churchgoers displayed what we believe is exceptional heroism and
bravery in intervening to stop the suspect,” Hallock said.
The suspect in the shooting is said to be an asian man in his 60’s who doesn’t live in the
area. Deputies recovered two handguns at the scene, Hallock said. The motive for the
shooting is still unclear as investigators are still working to determine whether the
suspect has any connections with the church or its congregants. The name of the
suspect will be released once he is booked into jail.
The department Sunday night announced the man has been formally arrested in
connection with the deadly attack.
NBC News reported that as many as 40 people who belong to a Taiwanese church
were at the facility when gunfire broke out at 1:26pm.
Jerry Chen, 72, told the Associated Press that he was inside the church’s kitchen when
he heard gunshots. At the time, congregants had been taking photos with a former
pastor for whom the lunch was being held for.
“This is just so sad. I never, ever thought something like this would happen in my
church, in my community,” Chen said.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said his office is “working closely with local law
enforcement.”
Newsome tweeted later on Sunday that ““”No one should have to fear going to their
place of worship. Our thoughts are with the victims, community, and all those impacted
by this tragic event.”
Hallock recognized concerns over rising hate crimes, but urged people to await more
information.
