Authorities in California identified the man who shot up a church Sunday, killing one and wounding another five before members of the congregation disarmed him and used extension cords to hog-tie him until police arrived.
The attack occurred early Sunday afternoon inside Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods, where a Taiwanese congregation was having a lunch banquet following services. Although The Daily Wire will not name the suspect, in keeping with its policy of depriving mass shooters of the notoriety they often crave, he was described as a 68-year-old Asian man from Las Vegas.
“He has been booked on one felony count of murder and five felony counts of attempted murder,” the Orange County Sheriff’s Office tweeted Monday. “More info to follow at today’s press conference.”
The shooting came just one day after an 18-year-old suspect killed 10 and wounded three in what is believed to have been a racially-motivated attack at a Buffalo, N.Y., market.
OC Sheriff arrests man suspected in Laguna Woods church shooting. Read the full release below. pic.twitter.com/rOPAxRQ3bt
— OC Sheriff, CA (@OCSheriff) May 16, 2022
After the gunman started shooting, church members grabbed him, took two handguns from him and “hog-tied” him with an extension cord, police said.
“That group of churchgoers displayed what we believe is exceptional heroism and bravery,” Orange County Undersheriff Jeff Hallock said. “It’s safe to say that had they not intervened this situation could have been much worse.”
Four of the shooting victims were in critical condition. Police did not release details on the dead congregant, but the wounded included four men and one woman, all ranging in age from 66 to 92.
Police later said the gunman was motivated by an “individual grievance” with the Taiwanese community as large, and called the shooting an isolated an incident. The suspect was being held in the Orange County Jail.
Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes told reporters roughly 40 people were inside church during shooting. He did not provide any details about the suspect’s identity. The Los Angeles Times, quoting a law enforcement source, said the suspect is believed to be a 68-year-old Asian man from Las Vegas.
The Irvine Taiwanese Presbyterian Church holds a 10 a.m. service at Geneva, according to its website.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said homicide investigators from his office were on the scene and that his office is working with federal law enforcement officials.
“Churches are intended to be safe sanctuaries from hate and violence,” Spitzer said in a statement. “That serenity was shattered this afternoon by a gunman who unleashed unspeakable violence in a house of worship. Good will always triumph over evil and we are working with our local and federal law enforcement partners to ensure the person responsible is held accountable.”