Half Moon Bay mass shooting news: Seven dead in California mushroom nursery as suspect Chunli Zhao arrested

As many particulars stay unclear in the Half Moon Bay shooting, extra information continues to emerge in regards to the earlier assault in Monterey Park.

Officials say the suspect in that shooting, 72-year-old Huu Can Tran, had informed the police earlier this month that his household had tried to poison him many years in the past.

Hemet police spokesperson Alan Reyes mentioned in a press release on Monday that Tran visited the Hemet Police Department foyer twice this month – on 7 January after which once more on 9 January.

Tran had additionally made allegations of fraud and theft, aside from claiming that his household in the Los Angeles space had tried to poison him some 10-20 years in the past.

The Independent’s Maroosha Muzaffar has extra particulars:

Children had been current on the time seven individuals had been killed throughout two farms in Half Moon Bay, San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus mentioned.

The victims killed are believed to be employees on the properties, Mountain Mushroom Farm and Concord Farms, that are roughly two miles aside.

Ms Corpus mentioned youngsters did witness not less than one of many shootings as employees reside on each farms with their households.

Suspect Chunli Zhao is believed to be a employee at one of many farms.

Concord Farms issued a press release saying the suspect was unknown to the enterprise, suggesting he labored at Mountain Mushroom Farm.

The San Mateo County coroner has recognized two of the seven victims killed at Half Moon Bay farms.

The coroner’s workplace didn’t launch the names of these two victims as it’s nonetheless working to inform their households.

“When notifications to the next of kin have been made, we can release some info,” coroner Robert J Foucrault mentioned in a textual content message to the Los Angeles Times.

Half Moon Bay Mayor Deborah Penrose additionally supplied scant element in regards to the victims in an interview with CNN on Tuesday morning.

“Only thing we do know is that some of the victims were Chinese, that the perpetrator was Chinese, and that this was an agricultural community,” Ms Penrose mentioned. “They were agricultural workers.”

The principal of Concord Farms, which runs a location the place one of many shootings happened, has prompt the corporate was unfamiliar with alleged gunman Chunli Zhao.

“We thank law enforcement for their swift response and actions. Concord Farms is a family owned and operated mushroom farm at this location for 37 years,” principal Aaron Tung mentioned in a press release, in response to ABC News.

“With no past knowledge with this gunman or his motives, we are shook and very eager to gain more information from the authorities and their investigations. Our hearts are with the victims, their families and the Chinese American community—from Half Moon Bay to Monterey Park.”

Three victims had been discovered dead at Concord Farms, whereas one other 4 had been killed and fifth was wounded on the close by Mountain Mushroom Farm.

Investigators are nonetheless working to find out which shooting happened first.

President Joe Biden and his spouse Jill reacted to the Half Moon Bay shooting in a press release launched by the White House on Tuesday morning:

“Jill and I are praying for those killed and injured in the latest tragic shooting in Half Moon Bay, California. For the second time in recent days, California communities are mourning the loss of loved ones in a senseless act of gun violence.

“Following a briefing from my homeland security team, I have directed my administration to ensure local authorities and the broader Half Moon Bay community have the full support of the federal government in the wake of this heinous attack.

“Yesterday, Senator Feinstein — alongside Senators Murphy, Blumenthal and others — reintroduced a federal Assault Weapons Ban and legislation that would raise the minimum purchase age for assault weapons to 21. Even as we await further details on these shootings, we know the scourge of gun violence across America requires stronger action. I once again urge both chambers of Congress to act quickly and deliver this Assault Weapons Ban to my desk, and take action to keep American communities, schools, workplaces, and homes safe.”

The Independent can be working reside protection of the Monterey Park shooting that left 11 dead and 9 others injured on Saturday night time.

Details proceed to emerge in regards to the victims, as nicely as the alleged gunman’s attainable motive.

California Governor Gavin Newsom was in Monterey Park assembly with victims of Saturday’s mass shooting on Monday when he discovered in regards to the shooting at Half Moon Bay.

“At the hospital meeting with victims of a mass shooting when I get pulled away to be briefed about another shooting. This time in Half Moon Bay. Tragedy upon tragedy,” he tweeted.

In an interview with CBS, the governor described the Second Amendment as a “suicide pact” and mentioned that “large capacity magazines do not belong on our streets”.

“This Second Amendment’s becoming a suicide pact, it feels like,” he mentioned.

“California’s 37 per cent lower than the death rate of the rest of the nation, and yet, with all that evidence, no one on the other side seems to give a damn.”

Monday’s tragedy in Half Moon Bay marked the second of three mass shootings to rock California in as many days.

Eleven dead in Monterey Park

The first shooting unfolded in Monterey Park, outdoors Los Angeles, on Saturday night time following Lunar New Year celebrations.

Eleven individuals had been killed after alleged gunman Huu Can Tran entered the Star Ballroom Dance Studio and opened hearth.

Tran then drove to a second dance studio – Lai Lai Ballroom in close by Alhambra – the place a hero employee managed to wrestle a gun away from him.

The gunman then fled the scene and nobody was injured in the second incident.

An enormous manhunt was launched to trace down the gunman, culminating round 12 hours later with a police standoff in Torrance, about 30 miles from Monterey Park.

Tran died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his white van.

The motive for that assault stays unclear however it has emerged that Tran was paranoid that his household had tried to poison him many years in the past and that had gone to police with the allegations simply weeks earlier than he occurring the shooting rampage.

One dead, seven injured in Oakland

A youngster was killed and 7 different victims injured in a shooting rampage at a fuel station in Oakland on Monday night.

The shooting unfolded simply after 6pm at a Valera fuel station alongside Seminary Avenue and Macarthur Blvd, in response to the Oakland Police Department (OPD).

Law enforcement responded to the scene after being alerted to a shooting via ShotSpotter exercise.

When officers arrived on the scene, there have been no victims in sight – however shell casings left behind indicated what had unfolded.

Multiple victims struggling gunshot wounds had already self-transported to a number of space hospitals, OPD mentioned.

One sufferer – recognized by his household as 18-year-old Mario Navarro – was killed.

The different seven had been in steady situation and are anticipated to outlive.

Police haven’t confirmed what could have led as much as the shooting however mentioned that the investigation to date exhibits that a number of individuals could have exchanged gunfire.

San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus mentioned in a press convention that Chunli Zhao, who had labored on the mushroom farm for many years, was discovered round two hours after the shootings sitting in his automotive in the parking zone of a sheriff’s substation.

Dramatic footage exhibits the suspect being wrestled to the bottom as armed officers took him into custody.

The video, captured by Half Moon Bay resident Kati McHugh, exhibits three officers approaching a parked automotive with drawn weapons. The suspect then will get out of the automotive as officers pull him to the bottom, handcuff and lead him away.

A semi-automatic handgun believed to have been used in the mass shooting was discovered inside his automotive, officers mentioned.

The sheriff mentioned that they’re engaged on the idea that the suspect had gone to the police station to show himself in, although that is but to be confirmed. Mr Zhao is alleged to be totally cooperating with regulation enforcement.

Little is but recognized about suspected gunman Chunli Zhao.

The 67-year-old had labored for many years as a farmer at one of many two websites the place the shooting unfolded.

San Mateo County Board of Supervisors President Dave Pine informed native outlet KRON4 that Mr Zhao was a “disgruntled worker” on the farm however gave no additional particulars.

The sheriff described the shooting as “horrific”, saying: “It’s a tragedy that we hear about far too often but today has hit home here in San Mateo County.”

The Independent’s Rachel Sharp stories: