At least seven people killed in two separate shootings in Half Moon Bay, California
The latest mass shooting, occurring within 48 hours of the deadly attack at a Lunar New Year celebration near Los Angeles, has sparked renewed calls for stricter gun control measures.
Seven individuals tragically lost their lives, and one more was critically wounded, in a pair of connected shootings at agricultural sites in a coastal town in Northern California. Authorities have apprehended the suspected perpetrator.
This latest episode of violence in the US transpired just two days after another assailant murdered eleven individuals at a Lunar New Year observance close to Los Angeles, California.
On Monday, San Mateo County Board of Supervisors President Dave Pine reported that four people had been killed at a mushroom farm and three at a trucking business on the outskirts of Half Moon Bay, a city located around 48km (30 miles) south of San Francisco.
Though the connection between the two locations was unclear, Pine stated the suspect had been a “disgruntled worker”. Half Moon Bay Vice Mayor Joaquin Jimenez noted the victims were Chinese and Latino farmworkers.
The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office tweeted that the suspect was in custody at around 5pm (01:00 GMT) and confirmed there was no longer a threat to the community.
The Sheriff’s Office is responding to a shooting incident with multiple victims in the area of HWY 92 and the HMB City limits. Media is requested to approach from the north and stage at the Half Moon Bay substation at 537 Kelly Ave. in Half Moon Bay
— San Mateo County S.O (@SMCSheriff) January 23, 2023
San Mateo County sheriff, Christina Corpus, unveiled that the cause of the shooting is yet to be identified. A semi-automatic pistol was recovered from the suspect’s car, located in the Half Moon Bay sheriff’s station parking lot, at the time of his arrest.
The video of Zhao’s detainment revealed three officers approaching his vehicle with firearms drawn. He exited the car before being brought to the ground, cuffed, and escorted away.
This shooting follows the tragic events that occurred late Saturday at a Lunar New Year event in Monterey Park. There, 11 people were killed.
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.
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) January 24, 2023