The man accused of killing seven people in a shooting rampage at a farm and nursery in Half Moon Bay, unleashing waves of terror, shock and grief through this rural coastal community, is facing several felony charges, the San Mateo County district attorney’s office said Wednesday.
The alleged gunman, identified as Chunli Zhao, was arrested outside a San Mateo County sheriff’s substation in Half Moon Bay after the attacks Monday and booked into jail.
Zhao, 66, was charged with seven counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, firearm use enhancements for each count and a special circumstance allegation of multiple murder, according to court records.
He is scheduled for arraignment Wednesday afternoon in the Hall of Justice in Redwood City, San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said in an email.
All seven victims have been identified. The San Mateo County coroner named six on Wednesday, while the seventh victim was reported among the dead by Reuters, citing the man’s friend.
The victims are Zhishen Liu, 73, of San Francisco; Marciano Martinez Jimenez, 50, of Moss Beach; Qizhong Cheng, 66, of Half Moon Bay; Aixiang Zhang, 74, of San Francisco; Jingzhi Lu, 64, of Half Moon Bay; Yetao Bing, 43, whose residence was unknown; and Jose Romero, a Mexican national.
