Laguna Woods CA: Geneva Presbyterian Church Shooting

#OCSDPIO Deputies are responding to reports of a shooting at a church on the 24000 block of El Toro Road in Laguna Woods. Multiple victims have been shot. More details to follow, PIO en route.

We are working to get information out as quickly as possible. We ask for patience as this event unfolds.

Dispatch received call of a shooting inside Geneva Presbyterian Church at 1:26pm. Four victims have been critically wounded , one with minor injuries. All victims are adults and are enroute to the hospital. One victim is deceased at the scene.

The suspect was detained at the scene. More to follow. El Toro Road is closed between Calle Sonora and Canyon Wren, please avoid the area. We are in Unified Command with @OCFireAuthority.

#OCSDPIO Press conference planned for 5pm at scene. Media stage near El Toro Road and Town Center. More to follow.

Authorities: 1 killed, 5 hurt in California church shooting

LAGUNA WOODS, Calif. (AP) — Police say churchgoers detained the gunman who shot multiple people Sunday at a California church, calling their intervention an act of “exceptional heroism and bravery.”

Police say the suspect in the shooting is an Asian male in his 60s who investigators do not believe lives in the community.

The shooting occurred during a lunch banquet after a morning service in the church.

Police say by the time they arrived on the scene the parishioners had the man hog-tied and in custody.

“I think it’s safe to say that had people not intervened, it could have been much worse,” Orange County Undersheriff Jeff Hallock says.

“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 says.

During the press conference on the shooting, Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett 5th District said the following, “Today is a very dark day for the people of Laguna Woods and Orange County, and our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this senseless tragedy. Just a day after the tragic and hate-filled actions that led to the senseless deaths of Americans at the Tops Friendly Markets in Buffalo New York, we too are now dealing with people shot in their place of worship, here in Laguna Woods. I’d like to thank Sheriff Don Barnes and the heroic actions of our Orange County Sheriff’s department and deputies who were able to bring the perpetrators swiftly and securely on the site. I’d also like to thank Chief Fennessy of the Orange County Fire Authority for attending to the victims of the senseless tragedy. To the church congregants impacted by the violence that took place here today, we are here for you and we will seek justice for you. To the perpetrator of such heinous acts our county will work to ensure justice for the victims. As 5th District supervisor, I’m making sure that our county’s mental health counselors are available for the victims and their families of today’s shooting. I want to thank the Orange County Health Care Agency department for being so quick to respond to the needs of our citizens. And to the citizens of Orange County, please know that we will continue to have my unwavering support to ensure the safety and security of all the residents here in Orange County. Thank you.”

Investigators were interviewing between 30 and 40 witnesses.

LAGUNA WOODS, Calif. (AP) — A man who opened fire during a lunch reception at a Southern California church on Sunday was detained by parishioners, according to a sheriff’s official who called their intervention an act of “exceptional heroism and bravery.”

One person was killed and four others were critically wounded in the afternoon shooting at Geneva Presbyterian Church in the city of Laguna Woods, Orange County Sheriff’s Department officials said.

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.

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

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.”

A man died at the scene and a fifth injured person suffered minor injuries, officials said. All the victims were adults.

The lunch reception was 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.

Federal agents from the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives responded. The FBI also agents to the scene to assist the sheriff.

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 about 50 miles (80 kilometers) southeast of Los Angeles are at least 65.

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said on Twitter that he was closely monitoring the situation.

“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,” the tweet said.

The incident occurred in an area with a cluster of houses of worship, including Catholic, Lutheran and Methodist churches and a Jewish synagogue.

On its website, Geneva Presbyterian Church describes its mission as “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.”

The shooting came a day after an 18-year-old man shot and killed 10 people at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York.

“This is upsetting and disturbing news, especially less than a day after a mass shooting in Buffalo,” said U.S. Rep Katie Porter, whose district includes Laguna Woods. “This should not be our new normal. I will work hard to support the victims and their families.”

During the press conference on the shooting, Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett 5th District said the following, “Today is a very dark day for the people of Laguna Woods and Orange County, and our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this senseless tragedy. Just a day after the tragic and hate-filled actions that led to the senseless deaths of Americans at the Tops Friendly Markets in Buffalo New York, we too are now dealing with people shot in their place of worship, here in Laguna Woods. I’d like to thank Sheriff Don Barnes and the heroic actions of our Orange County Sheriff’s department and deputies who were able to bring the perpetrators swiftly and securely on the site. I’d also like to thank Chief Fennessy of the Orange County Fire Authority for attending to the victims of the senseless tragedy. To the church congregants impacted by the violence that took place here today, we are here for you and we will seek justice for you. To the perpetrator of such heinous acts our county will work to ensure justice for the victims. As 5th District supervisor, I’m making sure that our county’s mental health counselors are available for the victims and their families of today’s shooting. I want to thank the Orange County Health Care Agency department for being so quick to respond to the needs of our citizens. And to the citizens of Orange County, please know that we will continue to have my unwavering support to ensure the safety and security of all the residents here in Orange County.

Weber reported from Los Angeles, along with Associated Press journalist Stefanie Dazio.

By Damian Dovarganes and Christopher Weber