One person was killed and five others injured in a shooting at a gathering of Asian churchgoers in Southern California Sunday, the Orange County sheriff said.
Members of the congregation detained a man who is now in custody by tying him up. They also seized at least two handguns that were later seized by deputies, Deputy Sheriff Jeff Hallock said.
The attack was reported at the Geneva Presbyterian Church at 1:26 p.m. in the old town of Laguna Woods, the department said. Four victims suffered serious injuries, it said.
The body of the deceased was discovered at the scene, sheriff officials said. All surviving victims, including one person with minor injuries, were hospitalized.
Sheriff’s officials said as many as 40 people belonging to a Taiwanese church were at the facility when gunfire broke out.
Police sources say the man being held for questioning is in his 60s and of Asian descent. They stressed that the investigation is at a very preliminary stage and that they have not identified any motive.
Hallock later confirmed that initial information about the person’s background at a press conference. He acknowledged concerns about rising hate crimes but urged people to await more information as the investigation into the attack continued on Sunday night.
He praised the quick action of the municipality.
“They undoubtedly prevented additional injuries and fatalities,” Hallock said. “…It appears that one or more of the congregation members acted rather heroically.”
Investigators were still trying to determine where the man lives in custody and whether he has any relationship with the municipality or facility. “No information on age or date of birth,” the deputy sheriff said.
It doesn’t appear there are any other wanted persons, the sources said. Detectives hope serial numbers on the firearms can help them learn more about the person in custody. officials said.
According to the website, the Irvine Taiwanese Presbyterian Church, a name that refers to a nearby town, was set to meet at the facility at 10 a.m.
Tom Cramer, co-director of a network of Presbyterian churches in Orange County, Los Ranchos rectory, said the violence took place over a luncheon honoring a former pastor of the Taiwanese congregation.
The organization “is deeply saddened by a deadly shooting that took place during a luncheon reception…”, it said in a… statement† “Please keep the leadership of the Taiwanese Municipality and Geneva in your prayers as they care for those traumatized by this shooting.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said officers in Los Angeles assisted the sheriff’s investigators. The FBI also responded.
Laguna Woods and Laguna Woods Village are relatively exclusive communities for the over-55s and their companions or loved ones. Large parts of it, including the village, are fenced.
The city consists of single-family homes, townhouses, and apartment-style apartments. It opened in 1964 as Leisure World. It became the province’s 32nd city in 1999.
Authorities asked people to avoid the area, noting that several roads were closed.
On Friday, police in Dallas said they were looking for a suspect who may have been targeted by people of Asian descent in a series of shootings. In the latest of three such attacks, three women from South Korea were injured, officials said.
Police Chief Eddie Garcia said the department’s investigation was a hate crime investigation. Attacks on Asian Americans have exploded in recent years.
Erick Mendoza and Michelle Acevedo contributed†
