LOS ANGELES — One person was killed and five others were wounded Sunday after a gunman opened fire on a Taiwanese church congregation in Southern California.
The shooting occurred at 1:26 p.m. inside Geneva Presbyterian Church on the 24000 block of El Toro Road in Laguna Woods. Authorities said the shooting occurred during a lunch banquet following a morning church service, and that a group of churchgoers “hog-tied” the shooter’s leg with an extension cord and took two weapons from the suspect.
The Sheriff’s Department said it detained the suspect and recovered two commercially available handguns from the scene. Of the five who were wounded, four sustained critical injuries, officials said.
“That group of churchgoers displayed what we believe is exceptional heroism and bravery,” Undersheriff Jeff Hallock said, later adding, “It’s safe to say that had they not intervened this situation could have been much worse.”
Authorities are interviewing more than 30 people who were inside the church at the time. The victims were described as mostly Asian and mostly of Taiwanese descent, authorities said. The oldest victim was 92.
A law enforcement source said officials believe the suspect was a 68-year-old Asian man who is originally from Las Vegas. Officials said the suspect is likely not from the area. No other details were available.
According to its website, the Irvine Taiwanese Presbyterian Church usually holds a 10 a.m. service at Geneva.
Tom Cramer, leader of the Presbytery of Los Ranchos and a former pastor at the Geneva Presbyterian Church, said the shooting happened at a lunch reception honoring the former pastor of the Taiwanese church, who is returning to Taiwan to lead a congregation there. Cramer did not know if the pastor was harmed in the shooting.
The Irvine Taiwanese Presbyterian Church has been holding services at Geneva for 10 years, Cramer said.
“They are sisters and brothers in Christ. They have been good friends with us,” he said. “This is a shock to us that anything like this would happen.”
The congregation has been very active with the Taiwanese population in Laguna Woods, holding weekly educational seminars and workshops. It’s one of the largest Taiwanese churches in the city, he said.
“Churches are intended to be safe sanctuaries from hate and violence,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “That serenity was shattered this afternoon by a gunman who unleashed unspeakable violence in a house of worship.”
Spitzer said his office is working with local and federal law enforcement partners “to ensure the person responsible is held accountable.” Homicide prosecutors are on the scene.
“As we mourn the tragic loss of life, we are thankful to the first responders who rushed in to save countless more lives,” Spitzer said.
The violence stunned residents in the suburban south Orange County community. Police closed off El Toro Road and emergency vehicles lined up in front of the church.
Patricia Wallace, 61, was inside her apartment when she heard the whirl of helicopters hovering above her complex across the street from the church. The Orange County native was shocked that the violence occurred in Laguna Woods, a quiet city that’s made up predominantly of senior residents.
“Things are just breaking down in society right now,” she said. “It’s just so sad.”
Randy Hall of Los Angeles was visiting a cousin in Orange County when they heard that a friend had attended services at Geneva just before gunshots were fired. Hall’s phone rang with word that churchgoers were making food baskets for the families of victims. Others were asking for donations and for the faithful to pray.
“We were heading for the beach,” Hall said as police helicopters circled overhead. “Now we’re heading to buy sympathy flowers.”
In a strip mall across the street from the church, coffee shop patrons walked to the street corner, hoping to find out more about the shooting from other locals. A teacher ordered foot-long sandwiches from Subway to bring to law enforcement at the taped-off scene. “In crisis, you form a temporary community,” said Anaheim resident Sandi Pine as she read a news story about the incident to other cafe patrons.
Cindy Frazier, 65, was running errands when she heard the overwhelming wail of police and fire engine sirens as they raced to Geneva Presbyterian Church.
“I thought it was the fire flaring back up but it was just one after the other,” the Laguna Woods resident said of the emergency response. “It’s just so heartbreaking. Why? Why our community?”
The Orange County Fire Authority said it was on the scene treating victims and taking patients to hospitals.
FBI agents are responding to assist the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at the shooting scene, officials said.
All victims were adults, the sheriff said. The motive was unclear.
