7 dead in 2 shootings in California’s Half Moon Bay days after 11 killed at Monterey Park
California,Jan 24 : At least seven people were killed in two separate shootings at agricultural facilities in the city of Half Moon Bay in US California on Tuesday. This was the second mass shooting in the state in three days.
Four people were found dead and a fifth injured from gunshot wounds at one location, and three others were found dead at another several miles away.
As per US media reports, Chinese farmworkers were killed in the shootings and the suspect has been identified as 67-year-old farmworker Zhao Chunli. He shot his coworkers before fleeing the scene.
Some workers at one facility lived on the premises and children may have witnessed the shooting, AP reported.
“Suspect is in custody. There is no ongoing threat to the community at this time,” said San Mateo County Sheriff in a tweet.
The gunman was taken into custody after he was found in his vehicle in the parking lot of the Half Moon Bay substation, the sheriff’s office said. He was taken into custody without incident and a weapon was found in his car.
Law enforcement personnel control the scene of a shooting on Monday. (Photo: AP)
A video of his arrest showed police officers pinning Zhao Chunli (in a red shirt) to the ground before taking him into custody. Images also showed police officers collecting evidence from a farm with dozens of greenhouses.
Half Moon Bay is a small coastal city with agricultural roots now home to about 12,000 people. The city and surrounding San Mateo County area is known for producing flowers as well as vegetables like brussel sprouts. The county allows cannabis farming in certain areas. It’s a majority white community and about 5% of the population is Asian.
The exact locations of the shootings have not been confirmed yet and the motive for the shooting is under investigation.
This comes days after a 72-year-old man killed 10 people at a Chinese New Year event in Monterey Park, California. Police tracked him down to a van and surrounded it. As the officers approached the vehicle, they heard a gunshot.
“The suspect sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene,” Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said.
-PTI
