Multiple people shot at California church

Multiple people were shot Sunday at a church in Laguna Woods in California’s Orange County, prompting a major response from Orange County Sheriff’s officials and other first responders.
The number of casualties was not clear. The shooting occurred at the church on the 24000 block of El Toro Road.
The sheriff’s department said it detained a suspect and collected a weapon that might be involved.
Orange County Fire Authority said it was on the scene treating victims and taking multiple patients to hospitals.
CNN, however, reported that at least one person was killed and four critically wounded after the shooting at the church in Laguna Woods, citing the sheriff’s department.
“All victims are adults and are en route to the hospital,” the Orange County Sheriff’s Department said in a tweet.
“One victim is deceased at the scene.”
Another person has minor injuries, according to the tweet.
The shooting occurred at the Geneva Presbyterian Church during a lunch reception to honour a former pastor of a Taiwanese congregation that uses the church for its worship services, according to Tom Cramer, a Presbytery leader.
Police have a suspect in custody, Orange County Undersheriff Jeff Hallock said during a news conference on Sunday evening.
He is believed to be an Asian man in his 60s who does not live in the area, according to Mr Hallock.
Police did not yet have a motive, Mr Hallock said.
The suspect was detained at the scene after a group of people at the church were able to hog-tie his legs with an extension cord and confiscate at least two handguns from him, Mr Hallock added.
“That group of churchgoers displayed what we believe is exceptional heroism in interfering or intervening to stop the suspect,” stated Mr Hallock.
About 30 to 40 people were in attendance at the reception, according to him.
California Governor Gavin Newsom said his office was “working closely with local law enforcement.”
“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,” Mr Newsom said in a tweet.
The Taiwanese congregation, which became a sister congregation at Geneva Presbyterian Church about five or six years ago, always holds a lunch after their Sunday morning service, Laguna Woods Mayor Pro Tem Cynthia Conners told CNN.
“We’ll see what we can do to meet with the members of the congregation, we’ll bring in someone from the Orange County Human Rights Commission … and try to make sure that the Asian members of our community feel as safe as all the other members of our community, although I would have to say I think we all feel a little less safe today,” Ms Conners said.
(tca/dpa/NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

States
Delta: NDLEA says 36 hectares of cannabis farm destroyed
NDLEA says it destroyed 36.2 hectares of suspected cannabis plantation and seized N450 million worth of illicit drugs in Delta over the last year.

World
Trump says ceasefire with Iran over as U.S. launches fresh strikes
IRGC disclosed on Wednesday that it targeted U.S. military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait and that it had shot down a U.S. MQ-9 drone.

Economy
Tinubu urges Afreximbank to mobilise resources for Africa’s industrialisation
Mr Tinubu urged the leadership of the African Export-Import Bank to leverage Africa’s human, financial and natural resources to promote economic progress for all Africans.

States
Bayelsa: Father, son arrested for illegally possessing guns
The Bayelsa police command says it has arrested a 68-year-old man and his 36-year-old son for illegally possessing four single-barrelled firearms.

Africa
Tunisia proposes ban on single-use plastic bags
Members of the Assembly of People’s Representatives in Tunisia have put forward a legislative initiative aimed at a nationwide ban on single-use plastic bags.

Politics
1,300 NSCDC officers to provide security for Edo LG elections
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has deployed 1,300 operatives across Edo’s three senatorial districts to provide security for Saturday’s local government elections.





