Alleged gunman in California church shooting identified by police | Gun Violence News

Police in California where a man opened fire on Sunday at a Southern California church, killing one person and wounding five others, have identified the suspected gunman.

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, according to The Associated Press news agency. It was not immediately known whether he has a lawyer.

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 [19:00 GMT].

“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 [20:30 GMT] when he heard the gunshots. “I was very, very scared. I ran out the kitchen door to call 9-1-1.”

It was at least the second mass shooting of the weekend in the United States, which has been plagued with gun violence in recent years. In Buffalo, New York, on Saturday, a white 18-year-old man opened fire at a supermarket in a mostly Black neighbourhood, killing 10 and wounding three in what authorities described as a purely racist attack.

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.

The investigation was in its early stages, Hallock said. Unanswered questions included whether the assailant attended the church service, if he was known to church members and how many shots were fired.

The majority of those inside the church at the time were believed to be of Taiwanese descent, said Carrie Braun, a sheriff’s spokesperson.

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.

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. Our thoughts are with the victims, community, and all those impacted by this tragic event.

— Office of the Governor of California (@CAgovernor) May 15, 2022

On its website, Geneva Presbyterian Church says its mission is “to remember, tell, and live the way of Jesus by being just, kind, and humble”.

“All are welcome here. Really, we mean that! … Geneva aspires to be an inclusive congregation worshipping, learning, connecting, giving, and serving together.”