One person is dead, while four others were critically injured after a shooting broke out on Sunday at a Church in Laguna Woods, Calif., state officials have confirmed.
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, deputies were dispatched after receiving reports of a shooting inside Geneva Presbyterian, located on El Toro Road, at 1:26 p.m. local time.
“One victim is deceased at the scene,” the OCSD tweeted. The surviving victims, all of whom are adults, have been transported to a nearby hospital.
Authorities also confirmed the suspected shooter “was detained at the scene.” Deputies said a gun that may have been used in the fatal incident has been recovered. However, a motive for the shooting is still unclear.
Federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives were also involved in the investigation of the shooting.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom tweeted, “We are actively monitoring the shooting at a church in Laguna Woods and working closely with local law enforcement.”
“No one should have to fear going to their place of worship,” he continued. “Our thoughts are with the victims, community, and all those impacted by this tragic event.”
David Chou, 68, of Las Vegas was booked on one count of murder and five counts of attempted murder, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department tweeted on Monday. Jail records show Chou was being held on $1m bail.
Chou had been arrested by deputies at the scene of the shooting after the church pastor hit the alleged gunman on the head with a chair and parishioners hog-tied his legs with electrical cords. Five people were critically wounded.
Orange County authorities planned to provide an update at a media conference on Monday scheduled for noon Los Angeles time.
“I knew someone was shooting,” said Jerry Chen who had just stepped into the kitchen of the church’s fellowship hall at about 1:30 pm on Sunday. “I was very, very scared. I ran out the kitchen door to call 9-1-1.”
At the the Irvine Taiwanese Presbyterian Church, a group of about 40 congregants had gathered in the fellowship hall for a luncheon after a morning service to welcome former Pastor Billy Chang, who had served the church for 20 years and was a beloved and respected community member. Chang had moved back to Taiwan two years ago and this was his first time back in the US, said Chen.
“Everyone had just finished lunch,” Chen said. “They were taking photos with Pastor Chang. I had just finished my lunch and went into the kitchen.” That was when he heard the gunshots and ran out.
Chen, 72, a longtime member of the congregation, which worships at Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods, peeked around the corner and saw others screaming, running, and ducking under tables.
Fellow congregants told Chen that when the gunman stopped to reload, Pastor Chang hit him on the head with a chair while others moved quickly to grab his gun. They then subdued him and tied him up, Chen said.
“It was amazing how brave Chang and the others were,” he said. “This is just so sad. I never, ever thought something like this would happen in my church, in my community.”
Most of the church’s members are older Taiwanese immigrants, Chen said. “We’re mostly retirees and the average age of our church is 80.”
Orange County Undersheriff Jeff Hallock on Sunday praised the parishioners’ quick work to detain the gunman.
“That group of churchgoers displayed what we believe is exceptional heroism and bravery in intervening to stop the suspect. They undoubtedly prevented additional injuries and fatalities,” Hallock said. “I think it’s safe to say that had people not intervened, it could have been much worse.”
It was unclear what the suspect’s motive was, who he intended to target or whether it was a hate-related crime, authorities said. Two handguns were found at the scene.
Those wounded by gunshots included four Asian men, ages 66, 75, 82 and 92, and an 86-year-old Asian woman, the sheriff’s department said.
