Multiple casualties in California church shooting

Several people have been injured in a shooting at a church in Laguna Woods, California, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

One person was pronounced dead at the scene, while four others were “critically wounded” and rushed to hospital. Another suffered “minor injuries.”

“We have detained one person and have recovered a weapon that may be involved,” the sheriff’s office confirmed in a tweet. It was later revealed that the gunman was actually detained by the churchgoers themselves, who hog-tied the attacker, took his weapons and held him until the police arrived.

“That group of churchgoers displayed what we believe is exceptional heroism and bravery in intervening to stop the suspect. They undoubtedly prevented additional injuries and fatalities,” undersheriff Jeff Hallock said.

The shooting occurred at Geneva Presbyterian Church on El Toro Road at around 1:26pm local time, during a lunch banquet after a morning service. There was a large number of Taiwanese congregants inside the church, and the attacker was reported to be an Asian male in his 60s, who apparently was not part of the community.

Authorities have not shared information on a possible motive at this stage as law enforcement officers continue their investigation.

The incident came a day after a mass shooting in New York State, in which 10 people were killed and three others injured after an 18-year-old gunman opened fire at a supermarket in Buffalo. Authorities called it a “hate crime” and “racially motivated violent extremism” as most of the victims were black.