Police say they have detained a suspect, a 60-year-old man whom authorities do not believe lives in the community.
LAGOON BEACH, Calif. – A man opened fire over lunch at a Southern California church on Sunday before parishioners stopped and tied him up for what a sheriff’s official called an act of “exceptional heroism and courage.”
One person was killed and four others were seriously injured at the Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods, Orange County Sheriff’s Office said.
The suspect in the shooting, an Asian in his 60s, was in custody, and Deputy Sheriff Jeff Halak found two pistols at the scene. The motive for the shooting was not known immediately, but investigators do not believe the gunman lives in the village, he said.
It is believed that most of those who were in the church at the time were of Taiwanese descent, said Carrie Brown, a sheriff’s spokeswoman.
30 to 40 people gathered for lunch after the morning church service, when the shooting began shortly before 1:30 p.m., officials said. When the deputies arrived, the parishioners tied up the armed man and detained him.
“This group of churchgoers has shown what we believe is exceptional heroism and courage by intervening to stop the suspect. They have undoubtedly prevented further injuries and deaths, ”Halok said. “I think it’s safe to say that if people hadn’t intervened, things could have been a lot worse.”
A man died at the scene and a fifth wounded received minor injuries, officials said. All the victims were adults.
The investigation was at an early stage, Halak said. He said many unanswered questions include whether the attacker attended church service, whether he was a known member of the church and how many shots were fired.
The afternoon reception honored the former pastor of the Taiwan Congregation, which holds services in Geneva, said a statement from the presbytery of Los Ranch, the church’s governing body.
“Please keep the leadership of the Taiwanese Congregation and Geneva in their prayers, as they care for those affected by the shooting,” Tom Kramer said in a statement on Facebook.
Federal agents from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives responded. The FBI also sent agents to the scene to help the sheriff.
Lagoon Woods was built as a residential community and later became a city. More than 80% of the city’s population of 18,000 people about 50 miles (80 kilometers) southeast of Los Angeles is at least 65 people.
Governor Gavin Newsom’s office said on Twitter that he was closely monitoring the situation.
“No one should be afraid to go to a place of worship. Our thoughts are with the victims, the community and all those affected by this tragic event, “the tweet said.
The incident took place in an area with many houses of worship, including a Catholic, Lutheran and Methodist church and a Jewish synagogue.
On its website, the Geneva Presbyterian Church describes its mission as “remembering, telling and living like Jesus, being just, kind and humble.”
“Everyone is invited here. Indeed, we mean it! … Geneva strives to be an inclusive congregation that worships, learns, connects, gives and serves together. ”
The next day there was a shooting An 18-year-old man shot 10 people at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York.
“This is sad and disturbing news, especially less than a day after the Buffalo massacre,” said Katie Porter, a spokeswoman for Laguna Woods. “This should not be our new norm. I will work hard to support the victims and their families. “
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