What we know so far about the two mass shootings in California
Cami Mondeaux
Video Embed
At least seven people were killed in a spate of shootings in Half Moon Bay, California, on Monday, marking the second mass shooting the state has endured in three days.
The incident, along with another mass shooting that occurred in Monterey Bay just two days earlier, has prompted renewed calls for gun control measures nationwide and a ban on “assault weapons.” The attacks received national attention, with President Joe Biden offering condolences in response to the Monterey shooting and directing federal resources to assist in the state’s investigation.
SEVEN DEAD AFTER MULTIPLE SHOOTINGS IN HALF MOON BAY, CALIFORNIA
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) also responded to the shootings on Monday, blaming conservative lawmakers for refusing to enact stricter gun control laws. The Democrat also took aim at Fox News for its coverage of the mass shootings, calling it a “disgrace.”
“It’s a disgrace what they say, what these people say every single night,” Newsom told reporters. “There’s xenophobia, they’re racial priming, what they have done to perpetuate crime and violence in this country, by scapegoating, and by doing not a damn thing about gun safety, not a damn thing for decades.”
Here’s what we know so far about each of the mass shootings:
Half Moon Bay
Seven people were shot and killed after a gunman opened fire around 2:20 p.m. local time at two separate agricultural locations in Half Moon Bay, California, which is located about 30 miles from San Francisco. At least one more victim was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Police arrested Chunli Zhao, 67, in connection with the attack, and officials said on Monday that he was “fully cooperating” and taken into custody “without incident.” At this time, officials believe he is the only suspect.
Officials say Zhao was an employee at one of the farms and is a resident of Half Moon Bay. Authorities have not identified a motive in the case, and the investigation is ongoing.
There were several witnesses, including children, who were present while the attack occurred, prompting San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus to call the attack “unthinkable.”
The names of the victims have not yet been released, but officials believe they were all farm workers.
Monterey Bay
Just two days earlier, on Saturday night, a 72-year-old man opened fire at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Bay around 10:22 p.m. local time during a Lunar New Year celebration.
At least 11 people died, and nine others were injured in the incident, according to officials. Each of the victims was in their 50s, 60s, or 70s.
Police identified Huu Can Tran as the suspect in the attack, who was later found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Tran is suspected of attempting another mass shooting less than a half hour later, according to officials.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Roughly 17-20 minutes after the dance studio attack, the gunman attempted to open fire at another dance studio in nearby Alhambra. Bystanders were able to disarm the shooter before he ran away, and authorities used the firearm to identify Tran as the suspect.
Investigators carried out a search warrant of Tran’s home on Monday, recovering a .308 caliber rifle, hundreds of rounds of loose ammo, and other items that led officials to believe he may have been building homemade firearm suppressors. A motive in the case is still unclear, and authorities are investigating whether the incident was a hate crime.