Another day, another shooting. Details are still coming in. Via USA Today:
At least 1 person is dead and 4 others are critically wounded following a shooting at a Southern California church, authorities said Sunday.
According to the Orange County Sheriff's Office, police received a call around 1:30 p.m. regarding a shooting inside the Geneva Presbyterian Church, located in Laguna Woods, California, located about 45 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles.
A fifth injured person suffered minor injuries, officials said. All of the victims are adults, according to the sheriff's office.
This detail is ominous.
Carrie Braun, the Orange County Sheriff's Department director of public affairs and community engagement, told USA TODAY that most of the people inside the congregation at the time of the shooting were Taiwanese.
emphasis added
As the shooting in Buffalo appears to have been racially motivated, the possibility that this incident may be one more case of anti-Asian violence comes to mind as another.
A suspect has been detained and a weapon has been located. There will be much more on this.
UPDATE: h/t to Rob Zuber who linked to an NBC report
Police sources said the man detained is in his 60s and of Asian descent. They stressed that the investigation was in its very preliminary stages and they have not determined motive.
It does not appear that there are any other suspects, the sources said. At least one handgun has been recovered at the scene, the sources said.
If this report is confirmed and the detainee is the shooter, that would appear to rule out anti-Asian motivations for the shooting. This is an evolving story and no less a tragedy regardless.
UPDATE: An AP report via AOL adds more detail to the story.
...The suspect in the shooting, an Asian man in his 60s, was in custody and deputies recovered two handguns 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 said.
…Between 30 and 40 people were gathered for lunch after a morning church service when gunfire erupted shortly before 1:30 p.m., 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."
emphasis added