Gunman Kills 7 People at Mushroom Farm in Northern California

Gunmen opened fire at two mushroom farms in Northern California’s Half Moon Bay, killing seven colleagues and seriously injuring one, local officials said. The suspect later turned himself in to police.

The incident occurred at 2:22 p.m. Monday at Mountain Mushroom Farm on Highway 92 (San Mateo Road) in Half Moon Bay, a small city on California’s Pacific coast south of San Francisco. It started when I was called to ask. .

“Upon arrival, deputies found four victims who died from gunshot wounds,” San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus said. was taken to Stanford Medical Center.”

Shortly thereafter, deputies were summoned for a second shooting at Concord Farm on Cabrillo Highway South, about a five-mile drive from the first scene. At the site his three victims were found dead, all suffering from gunshot wounds.

Most of the victims are believed to be Chinese farm workers, according to City Councilman Debbie Ruddock. Some of them lived on farms and many children witnessed the shooting.

The suspect was identified as Chunli Zhao, 67, who worked on one of the two farms. He then drove to the Half Moon Bay police station and surrendered without incident. His motives were not immediately clear.

“This is a devastating tragedy for this community and the many families touched by this unspeakable act of violence,” Corpus said.

The shooting occurred just days after a 72-year-old man opened fire at Star Dance Studios in Monterey Park, next to Los Angeles, as the Asian community was celebrating the Lunar New Year. Eleven people were killed and nine injured in the shooting. The shooter later committed suicide.

State Senator Josh Becker said, “Gun violence came to our district today. What we can do to support the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Department and the City of Half Moon Bay officials during this tragic event. “My thoughts go to everyone affected.”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he was meeting victims of the Monterey Park shooting when he was pulled away for a briefing on Half Moon Bay. “Tragedy after tragedy,” he said.

A suspect in the Half Moon Bay shooting is currently in custody.It’s an intense moment when it happened – captured in our video @abc7newsbayarea camera pic.twitter.com/1ZGcLh8Byz

— Liz Kreutz (@ABCLiz) January 24, 2023