Churchgoers Hogtie Gunman Who Killed 1 And Wounded 5 In Laguna Woods

LAGUNA WOODS, CA — One man was killed and five people were hurt in a mass shooting at Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods on Sunday afternoon.

The shooting occurred during a lunch banquet following morning services, authorities said. In addition to the slain victim, four people ranging in age from 66 to 92 are in critical condition. Bystanders stopped further bloodshed when disarmed the shooter. According to one witness, the church's pastor hit the shooter with a chair as he paused to reload his gun. The shooter was hogtied when deputies arrived, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

Officers recovered multiple weapons in connection with the shooting, authorities said.

One person has minor injuries. All victims are adults and are being taken to area hospitals, according to police. The suspect is believed to be an Asian male adult in his 60s, said Undersheriff Jeff Hallock.

According to the sheriff's department, the five wounded victims were described as:

• a 66-year-old man;
• a 92-year-old man;
• an 82-year-old man;
• a 75-year-old man.

"We believe a group of churchgoers detained him and hog-tied his legs with an extension cord and confiscated at least two weapons from him," Hallock said. "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."

Congregant Jerry Chen, 72, told the Los Angeles Times he was in a nearby kitchen at the church just before 1:30 p.m. Sunday when he heard the shots.

"I heard the gun sounds," he said. "Then, I heard two or three more gunshots. He was just randomly shooting."

Chen told the Times he then saw the pastor, Billy Chang, hit the gunman with a chair when the shooter paused to reload his weapon. Other members of the congregation tackled him.

Authorities have not named the suspect or victims, and a motive is currently unknown.

“We don't believe he lives in this area. Investigators are working to determine his city of residence and whether he has any connection to this church or to the congregation," Hallock added. "At this time we do not know what the suspect’s motive may be or whether he had an intended target or whether this is even a hate-related incident."

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

Laguna Woods was built as a senior living community and later became a city. More than 80% of residents in the city of 18,000 people are at least 65.

About 30 people witnessed the violence, said Carrie Braun, a sheriff’s spokesperson. The majority of those inside the church are believed to be of Taiwanese descent, Braun said.

The gunfire erupted during a lunch reception honoring a former pastor of a Taiwanese congregation that has services at Geneva, according to a statement from the Presbytery of Los Ranchos, a church administrative body.

“Please keep the leadership of the Taiwanese congregation and Geneva in your prayers as they care for the those traumatized by this shooting,” the presbytery’s Tom Cramer said in a statement on Facebook.

Sheriff Don Barnes praised the bystanders who stopped the shooter and acknowledged the community's pain in the aftermath of the shooting.

"This afternoon’s shooting is a tragedy for our community. This type of violence, particularly within the sanctuary of a church, should never occur, he said in a written statement. "I am proud of the brave church attendees who took action to subdue the subject before he could injure or kill other church members. Please keep the victims in your thoughts and prayers. The best thing our community can do right now is stand in support of the victims and their families."

Bomb-sniffing dogs were brought in to make sure explosive devices were not left on the grounds around the church. Authorities closed El Toro Road between Calle Sonora and Canyon Wren, and police urge people to avoid the area. Orange County Sheriff's deputies are investigating along with Orange County Fire Authority, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said his office was monitoring the shooting and working closely with law enforcement in a statement on social media.

"No one should have to fear going to their place of worship," Newsom said. "Our thoughts are with the victims, community, and all those impacted by this tragic event."

Rep. Katie Porter, a Democrat from California's 45th Congressional District encompassing Laguna Woods, described the shooting as "upsetting and disturbing," and referenced a shooting that occurred Saturday at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, in a statement.

Another mass shooting occurred Friday night in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, following an NBA playoff game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Celtics.

"This should not be our new normal," Porter said. "I will work hard to support the victims and their families."

This story is being updated. City News Service and the Associated Press contributed to this report.