1 Dead In Shooting At Southern California Church, Orange County Sheriff Says

Topline

One person was killed and four others were critically injured in a shooting at a church in Southern California on Sunday afternoon, according to local authorities—and a suspect is in custody.

Key Facts

Slightly before 1:30 p.m. local time, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department received a call about a shooting at Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods, the sheriff’s department said on Twitter.

The department said one person died at the scene of the shooting, four people were “critically wounded” and transported to a hospital, and one person suffered minor injuries.

A suspect was detained at the scene, and sheriff’s deputies found a weapon that “may be involved,” according to the sheriff’s department.

Crucial Quote

“No one should have to fear going to their place of worship,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office tweeted. “Our thoughts are with the victims, community, and all those impacted by this tragic event.”

Key Background

Located about 40 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles, Laguna Woods is a city of nearly 18,000 in Orange County. More than 80% of the city’s residents are seniors, with the vast majority living in Laguna Woods Village, a massive age-restricted community.

Tangent

The incident at a Laguna Woods church follows at least two other deadly shootings this weekend. Some 10 people were killed in what police described as a racially motivated hate crime at a supermarket in Buffalo on Saturday, and two people died in an altercation at a busy flea market in Houston earlier Sunday—though authorities in Houston’s Harris County said those wounded “were all likely participants in the altercation.” The United States has faced at least 199 mass shootings with four or more injuries or deaths so far this year, according to figures compiled by the Gun Violence Archive.