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7 Killed in Shooting at Half Moon Bay Targeting Chinese Farm Workers, California's 2nd Mass Shooting This Week
Police arrested 67-year-old Zhao Chunli for the deaths of seven farm workers killed in Half Moon Bay, Calif. on Monday
By Charmaine PattersonPublished on January 23, 2023 09:52 PM
A shooting incident in Half Moon Bay, Calif., claimed the lives of seven people on Monday. Police have arrested a suspect.
The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office tweeted that there was a shooting "with multiple victims" in the area.
It later shared that the suspect has been detained and "There is no ongoing threat to the community at this time."
The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.
In one incident, four people were found dead around 2:22 local time on Cabrillo Highway, Sheriff Christina Corpus said in a press conference on Monday evening.
A fifth victim also suffered life-threatening injuries and was rushed to Stanford Medical Center.
Then, three bodies were recovered roughly a mile away in the small coastal town.
Children were present at one of the scenes but were not injured.
Roughly two hours later, police arrested Zhao Chunli of Half Moon Bay. The 67-year-old suspect was found by a deputy sitting in his car in the parking lot of a nearby sheriff's substation.
He was taken into custody without incident and the weapon was located in his vehicle, which fit a description of what police had been looking for, Corpus said.
She added that authorities believe he acted alone, and was a worker. They also believe they have recovered the only weapon involved.
Authorities suspect he is married, said the sheriff.
The motive is not known, however, all of the victims were Chinese farmworkers, city councilwoman Debbie Ruddock told NBC Bay Area.
"Gun violence in this country is at completely unacceptable levels and has really hit home tonight," San Mateo County Board of Supervisors President David Pine said during the news briefing. "Our hearts are broken. We are really grateful to law enforcement … but in the end, there are simply too many guns in this country and there has to be a change."
Ray Mueller of the Board of Supervisors also took the podium and pleaded for residents to use the city's mental health resources, noting that the shootings come after the state was hit with heavy storms, and another mass shooting just over the weekend.
"You are not alone. We have counseling services available," he said. "You can reach out to us on the county hotline. You are not alone and we are here for you this evening."
Half Moon Bay Vice Mayor Joaquin Jimenez also spoke about the severe weather and recent shooting the state has suffered.
"The farm workers in the community were affected, and now this," he said during the press conference. "This is something that we get to watch on the news. You never think that it's going to come and hit home. Today, we're on the news. Our community has been affected … There's really not much I can say about the pain that we're feeling right now."
Anyone with information is urged to reach out to the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office.
The tragedy marks the second mass shooting in California this week.
On Monday, the 11th victim died after a gunman opened fire in Monterey Park, Calif. during a Lunar New Year celebration on Saturday.
The incident occurred on the eve of the Lunar New Year, a major holiday in many Asian communities. Earlier that day, tens of thousands of people had gathered locally to celebrate the holiday.
After the massacre, the gunman headed to another nearby dance studio with his gun, but he was heroically thwarted by an employee.
The shooter fled immediately after the Monterey Park shooting and was at large until mid-day Sunday, when he was found dead in Torrance, about 30 minutes away, after a daylong search. He fatally shot himself after authorities used armored vehicles to find the white van he was driving at the time.
The shooter was a Hemet, Calif., resident who reportedly had been a patron at Star Dance Studio.
The motive for that shooting is still not known.
7 Killed in Shooting at Half Moon Bay Targeting Chinese Farm Workers, California's 2nd Mass Shooting This Week
In what marks California's second mass shooting in just days, seven people are dead in Half Moon Bay, Calif.; all of the victims are Chinese farm workers
