Father shoots dead four people, including his three young children, inside a church in Sacramento
Father, 39, shot dead his three daughters, nine, ten and 13, killed a fourth person then turned the gun on himself during a supervised visit inside a Sacramento church: Children’s mom had a restraining order against him
Father, 39, shot and killed his three daughters, a fourth victim and shot himselfThe three girls were aged nine, ten and 13 and were on a ‘supervised visit’The girls’ mother had a restraining order against their father The identity of the fourth victim is not known but is thought to be a chaperoneSheriff’s office said it was a case of domestic violence without offering motive
<!–
<!–
<!–<!–
<!–
(function (src, d, tag){
var s = d.createElement(tag), prev = d.getElementsByTagName(tag)[0];
s.src = src;
prev.parentNode.insertBefore(s, prev);
}(“https://www.dailymail.co.uk/static/gunther/1.17.0/async_bundle–.js”, document, “script”));
<!–
DM.loadCSS(“https://www.dailymail.co.uk/static/gunther/gunther-2159/video_bundle–.css”);
<!–
A California father has shot dead his three daughters aged nine, ten and 13 before gunning down a fourth victim and then killing himself in a Sacramento church.
The 39-year-old, who has not yet been named, had a restraining order against him from his wife and was on a supervised visit with his three children at the church on Monday afternoon.
The identity of the fourth victim is not yet known, with some reports suggesting it was a male chaperone.
The horrific attack started at around 5.10pm on Monday when officers were called to the ‘The Church in Sacramento’ in the Arden Mall area of the city, reported ABC10.
The shooting happened in the main room of the small church. Emergency services were alerted after an employee at the church who was upstairs heard gunshots and called 911.
A huge police presence built up outside the church where the shooting took place
Multiple people were killed in a shooting on Monday at a church near the California capital of Sacramento, CBS13 television reported, citing the Sacramento Metro Fire department
A large police presence could be seen gathered outside the church in the Arden-Arcade area
Police vehicle could be seen positioned outside of the church early on Monday evening
Residents watch police activity following a shooting at a church in Sacramento, California
People look over a fence towards a church following a shooting in Sacramento
Police block off Ethan Way and Wyda Way after a shooting at the Church in Sacramento
A father killed four, shooting three of his children before killing himself at the church in Sacramento
A sheriff’s deputy puts up crime scene tape following the shooting
A police officer can be seen putting up crime scene tape following the shooting on Monday
Sgt. Rod Grassman from the city’s sheriff’s office said he did not know if the family members belonged to the the church, which sits on a mostly residential block near a commercial area east of downtown Sacramento, CBS13 reported.
It wasn’t immediately known how many people were at the church or if there were any services or activities at the time of the shooting.
The church is known to hold Bible study classes for children and teens, although none were scheduled for Monday.
So far, a possible motive for the shooting had not been released but the sheriff’s office said it was a case of domestic violence.
Police officers investigate the scene of a shooting at the church
Police investigate a shooting at the Church in Sacramento near Wyda Way and Ethan Way in Sacramento on Monday
Sacramento County Sheriff’s deputies stand by police tape that blocks the street leading to a church where a shooting occurred with multiple victims, in Sacramento on Monday
Neighbors Samantha Sanchez and Nick Martinez watch as police officers investigate the scene of a shooting at The Church in Sacramento
Sgt. Rod Grassman from the city’s police force also confirmed there was a fifth person killed, however it is unclear if that person was also a family member
‘Another senseless act of gun violence in America – this time in our backyard. In a church with kids inside. Absolutely devastating,’ said California Governor Gavin Newsom said in a statement.
‘Our hearts go out to the victims, their families and their communities. We are working closely with local law enforcement.
‘Our thoughts are with the community, parishioners, and all those impacted by this horrific event.’
The Mayor of Sacramento, Darrell Steinberg, also tweeted about the incident on Monday night.
‘This is an unspeakable tragedy. It happens too often, and tonight it happened in our backyard. First thoughts are with the victims and their families. Same to the first responders who have to confront such a horrible scene.’
The shooting took place at a church on the outskirts of the California state capital in the Arden Mall area of the city (pictured, file photo)
‘Another senseless act of gun violence in America – this time in our backyard. In a church with kids inside. Absolutely devastating,’ said California Governor Gavin Newsom said in a statement
The Mayor of Sacramento, Darrell Steinberg, also tweeted about the tragedy on Monday night
Alongside emergency services, a SWAT team were also called as officers tried to secure the scene reported ABC10.
Video images from the scene showed a heavy police presence outside the church in the Arden-Arcade area outside the city limits.
‘Please be aware and on the look out. Local law enforcement are responding to a mass casualty shooting event in the county at a church on 2041 Wyda way,’ Sacramento Mayor Pro Tem Eric Guerra said on Twitter. ‘Please be alert while in the area as local law enforcement responds.’
The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department told the public to avoid the area because of the large police presence, and said it was establishing a command post in the area.
