US Church Shooting Kills 1, Injures 4
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – A church shooting in the U.S. state of California killed at least one person and injured four others Sunday before the suspected gunman was overpowered and detained, police said.
The deadly shooting at Geneva Presbyterian Church in the city of Laguna Woods occurred during a lunch banquet after a morning church service, according to investigators.
The alleged detailed attacker was described as an Asian male in his 60s who investigators do not believe lives nearby. He was captured after churchgoers halted the gunman, police confirmed.
Officials called the intervention an act of “exceptional heroism and bravery” of Christians in this suburban Southern California community where most residents are seniors.
Two handguns were recovered at the scene, Undersheriff Jeff Hallock said. A motive for the shooting wasn’t immediately known, but investigators don’t believe the gunman lives in the community, Hallock added.
The majority of the dozens inside the church when gunfire erupted were believed to be of Taiwanese descent, said Carrie Braun, a sheriff’s spokesperson.
The lunch reception where the shooting room place honored a former pastor of a Taiwanese congregation, said the Presbytery of Los Ranchos, a church administrative body.
The Taiwanese had services in Geneva, according to the church. “Please keep the leadership of the Taiwanese congregation and Geneva in your prayers as they care for the those traumatized by this shooting,” it added.
Between 30 and 40 people were gathered for lunch after a morning church service when the shooting began before 1:30 p.m. local time, officials said. When deputies arrived, parishioners had the gunman hog-tied and in custody.
“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.”
A man died at the scene, and a fifth injured person suffered minor injuries, according to investigators. All the victims were said to be adults. The church attack in California came amid broader concerns about shootings and violence against churches in the country.
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